View of historical events in war - 1

Well-educated Tamils born and raised in Sri Lanka have repeatedly told me, “Whatever it is, in 1987, India was the only one to drop food parcels out of compassion for the Tamil people.”

This is an example of how eloquently Tamils approach historical events, the diplomatic moves of the governments in them, and the war moves even after so much destruction.

There are still many historical events that can be approached with an eye view. I think I should post some of them. Below I have explained how the diplomatic and war moves of the Governments of India and Sri Lanka were in that historical event mentioned above. In May 1987, the Sri Lankan government mobilized its three forces and launched a major military operation called “Operation Liberation” aimed at capturing Jaffna Bay from LTTE´s control.

This is the first major military operation in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan army captured the areas to be captured under the first phase of the operation. The LTTE withdrew from many parts of Jaffna. Let us now look at India’s diplomatic move. Before that let us look back at history.

Indo-Sri Lankan Relations in the 80s:

India considered Sri Lanka as a threat as Sri Lanka was a pro-US country. India waited for the right moment to bring Sri Lanka under its influence. The armed struggle of the Tamils started during that period.

It was during this period that Sri Lanka approved the establishment of the” Voice of America” radio service. India feared that the equipment could be used to monitor the movements of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean. That time India mad a decision: to provide arms training and weapons to Tamil freedom fighters. Sri Lanka’s armed struggle is India’s bargaining chip to negotiate with Sri Lanka.

But some things India firmly followed:

Movements should not grow beyond its control.
Traditional military power should not be acquired unless they are guerrilla movements. For this purpose, small arms light weapons were provided to the movements.
There should be no unity within the movements. The reason is that even if one movement does not listen to India, it can settle with other movements or impose its solution by saying that the majority of movements support its solution.

The above-mentioned war approaches. There is nothing wrong with that. Countries move the pods according to their interests. It is the Tamil community evaluates these moves through the emotions of the average person without looking deeply.

Well, I’m back to 1987 “Operation Liberation”. As far as India is concerned, if Sri Lanka’s military operation is successful, it will lose its ability to negotiate with Sri Lanka.

Even if the LTTE loses Jaffna after the success of this Sri Lankan military operation, they will not be completely destroyed. History said that when the Indian Army later captured Jaffna in 1987 through “Operation Pawan” and in 1995 when the Sri Lankan Army captured Jaffna through “Operation Riviresa”, it did not completely destroy the LTTE.

This is a wrong calculation of the LTTE by India. The Indian Army later decided that it was possible to destroy the LTTE within a week on the same pretext.

It is imperative for India to suspend this military operation so as not to lose its bargaining power. At first, it tried to send food by boats in the name of humanitarian aid. The Sri Lankan navy did not allow the boats to enter its territorial waters.

It was only after this that India dropped food items from the Antonov aircraft surrounded by its Mirage fighter jets. The Indian Air Force named the food mission ‘Operation Poomalai’.

Hours before the operation, India warned the Sri Lankan ambassador warned of possible military retaliation if the Sri Lankan Air Force interfered with the mission.

The manner in which the Indian Air Force operated in Sri Lankan airspace is known as the “Show of Force” in the case of war. This means that the strong army will show its strength to its opponents and warn them.

After this incident, Sri Lanka feared that India might send its army to invade. Sri Lanka began negotiations with India to prevent it. The opportunity for what India supported in the armed struggle was ripe.

Subsequently, the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement was signed under Indian pressure. I summarize some of them:

Annexure to the Indo Lanka Accord

Conscious of the friendship between our two countries stretching over two millennia and more, and recognizing the importance of nurturing this traditional friendship, it is imperative that both Sri Lanka and India reaffirm the decision not to allow our respective territories to be used for activities prejudicial to each other’s unity, territorial integrity and security.

In this spirit, you had, in the course of our discussions agreed to meet some of India’s concerns as follows:

(i) Your Excellency and myself will reach an early understanding about the relevance and employment of foreign military and intelligence personnel with a view to ensuring that such presences will not prejudice Indo – Sri Lankan relations.

(ii) Trincomalee or any other ports in Sri Lanka will not be made available for military use by any country in a manner prejudicial to India’s interests.

(iii) The work of restoring and operating the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm will be undertaken as a joint venture between India and Sri Lanka.

(iv) Sri Lanka’s agreements with foreign broadcasting organizations (read Voice of America) will be reviewed to ensure that any facilities set up by them in Sri Lanka are used solely as public broadcasting facilities and not for any military or intelligence purposes.

In the same spirit India will:
i) Deport all Sri Lankan citizens who are found engaging in terrorist activities or advocating separatism or secessionism.

(ii) Provide training facilities and military supplies for Sri Lankan forces.

India and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up a joint consultative mechanism to continuously review matters of common concern in the light of the objectives stated in para 1 and specifically to monitor the implementation of other matters contained in this letter.

Let us briefly look at the most important of the strings above:

(ii) Trincomalee or any other ports in Sri Lanka will not be made available for military use by any country in a manner prejudicial to India’s interests.

Sri Lanka cannot seek foreign military assistance without India’s consent! Sri Lanka cannot carry out any activities that threaten the security of India. In particular, none of Sri Lanka’s ports can be used for foreign military operations!

Sri Lanka must ensure that the US-licensed radio service Voice Of America is not used for military purposes.

Instead, India and Sri Lanka will not allow any activities that undermine Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and unity to take place on Indian soil.

In the same spirit India will:

(i) Deport all Sri Lankan citizens who are found engaging in terrorist activities or advocating separatism or secessionism.

(ii) Provide training facilities and military supplies for Sri Lankan forces.

Take a brief look at the full historical events described above.

Sri Lanka’s “Operation Liberation” military operation is part of an attempt to wipe out the LTTE.

India, realizing that the strategy to bring Sri Lanka under its control if the military operation succeeds will fail, seeks to stop it under the guise of humanitarian aid – diplomatic move.

“Operation Poomalai” to show its military prowess to Sri Lanka who refused to allow it – war move.

Thereby signing an agreement with Sri Lanka containing the conditions it needs – diplomatic move.

Government of India signs that no militant groups seeking to undermine Sri Lankan unity will no longer be allowed to operate on Indian soil.

(This is a bonus for Sri Lanka, as Tamil Nadu will be blocked from running as a backbone of the struggle movements.)

Sri Lanka’s diplomatic move over time diluted the stipulation that Sri Lanka could not receive foreign military assistance / use of its ports for foreign military purposes without India’s approval.

Example Today is the Chinese naval port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, with Sri Lanka and the United States Security Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).

So many diplomatic and war moves are involved in this single historical event. Both governments are playing a clever political chess game based on their own interests.

However, the well-educated Tamils closed their eyes for the truth of India and only remember

“After all, India kindly packed food.” So sad!

Jayakanth