By S. Habib

Notwithstanding biological and spiritual barriers, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always been trusted worthy-partners of each other with historical linkages dating back to the period of Gandhara civilization, till the seventh-century AD, when Muhammad Bin Qasim fought the last Hindu ruler of Sindh, Raja Dahir in the battle of Aror. The attack on Sindh was perpetrated by the Arab intention to ensure a safe passage for trading ships on the Arabian Sea. The Arab traders faced continuous raids and pillage by pirates of Sindh on their ships bound for India, Srilanka, China, etc and on their way back. However, according to some accounts, the immediate reason for the attack was kidnapping of women, Med of Debal, who were travelling from Srilanka to Arabia. Hajjaj [(governor of Hejaz (western Arabia)] asked Dahir for the release of kidnapped women, the latter refused on the ground that he had no control over the pirates of Partaab Raye. For the sack of release of kidnapped Srilankan women which had asked Al-Hajjaj for their SOS help, he sent Muhammad Bin Qasim for recovery action for caged Srilankan women in 711.This bilateral relationship got strong footings in the course of Pak-India war of 1971, when Pakistan’s jets were permitted to refuel on Sri Lankan territory despite Indian aircraft. The equation of trust and friendship further developed during the crisis of Jaffna, when Pakistan indebted to Sri Lankan request for military aid and airlifted Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRLs) in an emergency from Karachi to Colombo. This helped the Sri Lankan military to push back Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), rebels and secure Jaffna. This shows that both countries not only share cultural heritage, but also have a shared history of internal instability created by the actives of non-state actors. This, as a result, gives both nations an insight to each other’s problems, stemming from internal and external players. It is evident that Sri Lanka has never liked India to dominate the region both economically and militarily. Thus, the pliant nature of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in face of adversities and shared objectives makes them natural allies.

1. Military Assistance & Training

Pakistan has betrothed Sri Lanka by giving military training to its military officers, included Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and also by organizing bilateral military exercises. Pakistan offered training to Sri Lanka for intelligence congregation as well. Distant from traditional military requirements to Sri Lanka, Pakistan has also offered to edify Sri Lankan Police and State Intelligence Service (SIS) officers. Pakistan has also provided military armaments and systems to help out Sri Lanka in its Civil War with the LTTE.

The mutual aid in getting rid of terrorism paved the way for strong defense relations between the two countries. In 2016, Pakistan signed an agreement with Sri Lanka to provide eight JF-17 fighter aircraft. Pakistani and Sri Lankan armed and naval forces have also been close to each other in managing workshops and seminars on defense matters.

2. Nuclear energy deal

In April, 2015 Sri Lanka signed a nuclear energy deal with Pakistan for cooperation between Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and Atomic Energy Authority of
Sri Lanka.

3. Significance of the bilateral relationship in economy

Pakistan has Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with only three countries, China, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. Interestingly, it is only with Sri Lanka that Pakistan has a trade surplus.
Sri Lanka got duty-free access over the 206 items, including tea, rubber, and coconuts. Pakistan receives zero-tariff concessions over 102 articles, including oranges, basmati rice, and engineering products. Although, the financial value of the economic relationship may appear to be modest, the diplomatic significance of the FTA is enormous given that it has the potential to strengthen bilateral ties of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan exports to Sri Lanka was US$348.48 Million, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. While imports was
US$ 91.86 Million during 2021.

4. Sri Lanka donation to Pakistan for flood victims

The Minister of Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry handed over the consignment of tea to the High Commissioner of Pakistan Umar Farooq Burki on 05 September, 2022, expressed sympathies to the families of victims, those injured and affected by the floods. He also conveyed the support and solidarity of the Government and people of Sri Lanka with Pakistan.

5. Policy Recommendations

(a). Amplified Bilateral Visits

Bilateral visits between Islamabad and Colombo can play a significant role in further improving economic, political and military ties. These visits must aim to enhance and develop relations in the areas ranging from human rights, economy, trade, environmental protection, climate change, cultural contacts etc.

(b). SAARC Platform

Cooperative regional organizations engaging in non-political or low-political spheres such as technical, social, economic, cultural and scientific sectors provide vastly practical opportunities for building effective cooperation among the member states. Hence, it can play an effective role in bilateral cooperation and regional development.

(c). Improved Collaboration in Defense, Counter-terrorism and organized crime

Defense and counterterrorism cooperation forms the backbone of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka relationship. Colombo’s enhancing security partnership with Islamabad. A bilateral security structure based on defense cooperation can provide adequate solutions to existing terrorism and regional security challenges.

(d). Sports Diplomacy

Sports can be used as a political tool to develop bilateral relations among states. Cricket is the most famous and widely played game in South Asia and can be used as a political tool to strengthen bilateral diplomatic relations.

(e). Trade
Sri Lanka, being second largest trading partner of Pakistan in South Asia, is a promising market for Pakistani products, and its high potential has not yet been realised properly. Same, Sri Lanka is the region’s vibrant export hub. The ‘Spice Land’ can significantly increase its exports to Pakistan in spices, tea, food and beverages, essential oils, herbal cosmetic products, gems and jewellery, and personal protection equipment and sanitisation products. Likewise, Sri Lanka can increase export of its computers to Pakistan that have been well introduced already.

6. Conclusion

Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations are based on cultural links, defense cooperation, and economic diplomacy. Although, all of these segments of the relationship operate at a low scale currently. Both countries can coordinate to swell, intensify and reinforce each of these rudiments. Sri Lanka will indeed face anxiety from its neighbor country to expand ties with Pakistan, but Colombo can find equilibrium, given its experience of doing so between China and India. To enhance tourism, Pakistan should revive the tradition of commemorating the anniversary of Lord Buddha and further advertise its Buddhist sites throughout Pakistan. Both countries can also exploit the prevailing FTA and expand the bilateral trade. All of it only demands further policy reorientation.