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Geo-Politics Module - III

Security and Geo-Strategy
for Sri Lanka supplying goods and services. It has signed economic and free trade
agreements and bilateral trade ties have increased. In the area of security and defence
too India has helped Sri Lanka in supplying some military equipment and provided
training. However, there are issues that have also affected progress. These are:
• The issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen crossing Palk straits and entering waters of

Sri Lanka for fishing is a daily problem.
Note
• Kachchativu island located between India and Sri Lanka was given to Sri Lanka
by India. It has become an area of dispute.
• Chinese naval base in Sri Lanka and construction of port facilities by China.
This has strategic and security concerns because Chinese war ships can freely
come to the port.

8.4.6 Maldives

Maldives is located in a geo-strategically important area in the Indian Ocean. It is the
smallest country in South Asian region. Similar to other neighbouring countries, India-
Maldives relations have also been generally cordial. India has been a development
partner for Maldives and has assisted the country in all major areas particularly in
capacity building, trade and commerce, etc. India has also helped with the security
needs of Maldives and has signed defence cooperation agreements. However, the
relations deteriorated in view of its close ties with China at the cost of India's security
concerns. Maldives had signed its first ever Free Trade Area agreement with China.
But with the change in government in Maldives, its 'India First Policy' is back on trade.

Intext Questions 8.4

1. What is meant by porous border?

2. Name the ruler of Kashmir during the time of independence.
3. Explain a Proxy War.

4. Where is Maldives located.
5. Mention any two problems that India faces with Sri Lanka.

6. What is meant by human trafficking? Explain.

8.5 Panchsheel and Non-alignment Policy of India: An Overview

Panchsheel is also called as the five virtues or what is popularly known as the "Five
Principles of Peaceful Co-existence". This became the guiding principle in India's
international relations as well as in the relations between other countries. In fact, this
was independent India's very first foreign policy initiative towards China when both

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