• REMYA. R

Sri Lanka has been a great importer, and in 2020, food imports for Sri Lanka were 15.7 percent. However, the foreign exchange loss led the government to impose import restrictions on 367 items. This has led to an acute scarcity of food in the island nation and a price rocketing. Amid such situations, Indian traders sent 40000 tonnes of rice on April 2 to help to bring down rice prices. On March 17, India announced a Dollar 1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka as part of its financial aid to help the island nation deal with the economic crisis. This financial support came after India had given a Dollar 500 million line of credit in February to help it purchase petroleum products. India also makes necessary provisions to the hospitals and sends medicines to tide over the ailing nation. India and the island country enjoyed a cordial relationship since their independence. Over the years, Sri Lanka has gathered towards China for financial support and is considered a reliable partner in enhancing domestic economic development. This has created concerns in India over the state of the bilateral connection between the two countries, which considered China's proximity to its neighbours to undermine India's influence in Sri Lanka. There are uncertainties in the relationship between India and Sri Lanka, but India acts as a good friend during the economic crisis to support the nations in overcoming their peril. This paper analyses the significant initiatives and assistance put in place by the Indian government to support Sri Lanka.

Bilateral relationship, cultural relations, defence and security cooperation, trade relations, fishermen issue, economic crisis, currency swap facility, forced migration

"India and Sri Lankan Bilateral Relationship During the Economic Crisis: An Assessment of the India's Timely Aids and Supports", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 4, page no.g277-g284, April-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2204642.pdf

"India and Sri Lankan Bilateral Relationship During the Economic Crisis: An Assessment of the India's Timely Aids and Supports", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 4, page no. ppg277-g284, April-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2204642.pdf