The beginning of a new era in South Asia

India has always maintained close historical and political ties with Sri Lanka, its closest neighbour, from time immemorial.

The Mahavamsa, written around 400 AD by the Bhikkhu Mahanama, using the Dipavamsa and Sinhala Attakatha as sources, correlates well with Indian history of the period.

Prior to the colonisation by Prince Vijaya, the eldest son of King Sinhabahu and Queen Sinhasivali of Bhurishrestha Kingdom, Sri Lanka was earlier inhabited by the ancient tribes known as the Yakkhas and the Nagas. Prince Vijaya and his 700 followers arrived from India paving way for a new colonisation in Sri Lanka.

Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the third century BC by Ven. Mahinda, the son of Indian Emperor Ashoka, during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. A sapling of the Bodhi Tree was brought to Sri Lanka during this time and the first monasteries and Buddhist monuments were set up in Sri Lanka. A few years after the arrival of Mahinda, Bhikkhuni Sanghamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka, came to Sri Lanka. She started the first Nun's Order in Sri Lanka, but it ceased in the 11th century.

At present, India is Sri Lanka's largest trading partner globally, while Sri Lanka is India's second largest trading partner in South Asia. It is the number one source of supplies accounting for twenty percent of Sri Lanka's total imports and third largest export destination for Sri Lankan products with six percent of total exports.

Indian visitors comprise the largest single group with a share of twenty-seven percent of total tourist arrivals. As far as investments are concerned, India is among the top five foreign investors in Sri Lanka. Trade between Sri Lanka and India had grown rapidly following the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement of March 2000. The value of bilateral trade increased from USD 658 million in 2000 to USD 3.6 billion in 2013. Sri Lanka exports over 4,000 product lines to the Indian market duty free.

The cordial relations between Sri Lanka and India are equally important to both countries, politically or otherwise. Despite the ups and downs, Sri Lanka and India strengthened their bilateral relations in recent times.

Having voted for the US-led Resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in 2012 and 2013, India abstained from voting when the US presented its third successive Resolution against Sri Lanka in Geneva earlier this year. This was least expected by the US and it turned out to be an eye-opener for those who level baseless allegations against Sri Lanka.

Successive Governments in India have been unable to view Sri Lanka with a free and open mind due to parochial Tamil Nadu politics. Tamil Nadu politicians always stirred up racism to woo votes, while the majority of people in Tamil Nadu cared less about Sri Lanka's internal matters.

Politicians in the South Indian state of the ilk of Jeyaram Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi and Vaiko always played the racist card for their political survival. Until last week's landslide victory of the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) at the 2014 general election, India had been run by minority governments in recent times. Hence, the political support of Tamil Nadu politicians had always been a key factor for successive coalition Governments in India for their political survival.

Although the previous Indian Government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi's Indian National Congress were sincerely interested in supporting Sri Lanka at the international fora, Tamil Nadu politicians exerted undue pressure on the central government on most occasions to change the Indian foreign policy to suit their whims and fancies.

However, the bargaining power held by Tamil Nadu politicians such as Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi has ended as the BJP commands an absolute majority with 334 seats in the Indian Parliament - Lok Sabha. Hence, Tamil Nadu politics is no more a decisive factor in Indian politics.

The BJP's resounding election victory has enabled the new Indian government to think freely and maintain its identity with enhanced bilateral relations with its neighbours. This was exactly what new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did even prior to taking oaths.

He pledged solidarity to one and all and invited all South Asian Heads of State for last Monday's swearing-in ceremony. This opened a new chapter for peace and stability in the region as Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the inauguration of Modi as the 15th Prime Minister of India.

This was the first time since the two countries won independence in 1947 where a Prime Minister from one country had attended such a ceremony. Prime Minister Modi's magnanimous gesture has set a shining example as the two nuclear-armed rivals had fought three wars in the past six decades.

Although disgruntled elements in Tamil Nadu criticised the invitation extended to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the new Indian leader stood his ground, ensuring friendship and solidarity in the region.

Delhi police arrested MDMK chief Vaiko, a member of the BJP coalition, for leading a protest campaign against the Sri Lankan leader's arrival in New Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony. AIADMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa boycotted the swearing-in ceremony.

On the eve of Modi's swearing-in ceremony, Pakistan and Sri Lanka freed Indian fishermen in their custody for illegal fishing outside their territorial waters. Bankrupt Tamil Nadu politicians by no means could fool people any more by shedding crocodile tears over Tamils in Sri Lanka.

The fishing community and fishermen leaders in Tamil Nadu were elated that all fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were arrested in Sri Lanka, on charges of drug trafficking, will be released this week.

President of the Alliance for the Release of Innocent Fishermen (ARIF), U. Arulanandham commended the goodwill gesture. As the fishermen had been arrested on specific charges and their cases were pending before courts, they were likely to be freed early this week.

India's fresh approach would undoubtedly sink differences among South Asian neighbours and strengthen their bilateral relations. This would check Western forces with vested interests who try to meddle in the internal affairs of South Asian countries. In the recent past, the West had exploited petty differences among nations to control the South Asian region.While in India, President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Modi met for bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday. The two leaders had an in-depth discussion of issues of mutual concern.

President Rajapaksa briefed Prime Minister Modi on the steps taken by Sri Lanka with regard to rehabilitation, resettlement, reconstruction and the ongoing reconciliation in the country. The Indo-Lanka leaders also focused on the fishermen's issue and the steps that could be taken to find a permanent solution where the views of fishermen from both countries could be taken into consideration.

Modi had expressed his gratitude to the Lankan leader for participating in his swearing-in ceremony, adding that the presence of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) leaders augurs well for the future of South Asian cooperation and solidarity. As Modi had highlighted, SAARC must focus on common issues that could benefit the region and reflect Sri Lanka's concerns on a global platform.

President Rajapaksa had stressed that India's leadership is vital for the success of SAARC ventures and Sri Lanka eagerly looks forward to working with India in taking SAARC to new heights. If South Asian leaders are united, no force on earth could interfere in the region's internal matters.

The new Indian leader's election could well be the beginning of a new era towards South Asian cooperation. Prime Minister Modi could play the leading role and build confidence among his fellow leaders in South Asia.

The positive approach by the leaders of India and Pakistan gives fresh hope for peace and stability in the region. Sri Lanka's first-hand experience could help South Asia eradicate the terrorism menace if the Indian and Pakistan leaders continue to demonstrate the same vigour to strengthen bilateral ties.