Palk Strait

16.10.2023

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Why in the news?

India and Sri Lanka recently launched a ferry service across the Palk Strait under a new roadmap for greater connectivity.

About ferry service

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated a ferry service between India and Sri Lanka, reviving a connection that had been canceled due to the civil war.
• The ferry service, operated by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board and the Shipping Corporation of India.
• The ferry runs between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna, strengthening cultural and historical ties.
• The service aims to enhance people-to-people contacts, promote regional connectivity, and boost tourism,and trade with Kankesanthurai also covering a 60-nautical mile journey in approximately 3.5 hours.
•  The service is also  part of the economic partnership vision, a roadmap for maritime, air and energy connectivity.

Palk strait

• It is a strait that lies between the Tamil Nadu state of India and the island nation of Sri Lanka.
• The strait is named after Robert Palk, who was a governor of Madras Presidency (1755-1763) during the British Raj period.
• It is bounded on the south by Pamban Island (India), Adam’s (Rama’s) Bridge (a chain of shoals), the Gulf of Mannar, and Mannar Island (Sri Lanka).
• It connects the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with the Gulf of Mannar in the southwest.
• The southwestern portion of the strait is also called Palk Bay.
• The port of Jaffna, the commercial centre for northern Sri Lanka, lies on the strait.

Adam’s Bridge

• Adam's Bridge also known as Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu is a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Geological evidence.
• The bridge is 50 km long and separates the Gulf of Mannar (south-west) from the Palk Strait (northeast).
• The bridge holds religious significance. A bridge is mentioned in Ramayana, that Lord Ram and his army built to reach Lanka. The location of the Lanka of the Ramayana has been widely interpreted as being current day Sri Lanka and bridge as Ram Sethu.
• As per Islamic legend, Adam used this bridge to reach Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka.

Bharat’s Relations with Sri Lanka

About:

• Bharat and Sri Lanka are two South Asian nations situated in the Indian Ocean region. Geographically, Sri Lanka is located just off the southern coast of India, separated by the Palk Strait.
• This proximity has played a significant role in shaping the relationship between the two countries.
• The Indian Ocean is a strategically important waterway for trade and military operations, and Sri Lanka's location at the crossroads of major shipping lanes makes it a critical point of control for India.

Relations:

Historical Ties: India and Sri Lanka have a long history of cultural, religious, and trade ties dating back to ancient times.

• There are strong cultural ties between the two countries, with many Sri Lankans tracing their heritage to India. Buddhism, which originated in India, is also an important religion in Sri Lanka.

Economic ties:

•  India is Sri Lanka’s third largest export destination, after the US and UK. More than 60% of Sri Lanka’s exports enjoy the benefits of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. India is also a major investor in Sri Lanka.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from India amounted to around USD 1.7 billion over the years from 2005 to 2019.

Defence: India and Sri Lanka conduct joint Military (Mitra Shakti) and Naval exercise (SLINEX).

Participation in Groupings: Sri Lanka is also a member of groupings like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and SAARC in which India plays a leading role.

Source:Hindustan times