The Cost of Exclusion: Eelam Tamils and India's Regional Credibility

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on his visit to Sri Lanka, a critical observation must be raised from the Eelam Tamil perspective: a failure to engage with the Northern and Eastern Provinces—historically and demographically the homeland of the Eelam Tamils—may risk undermining India’s broader diplomatic objectives in the region.

For many Eelam Tamils, both in Sri Lanka and across the global diaspora, there exists a profound sense of disenchantment regarding India's historical and contemporary approach to their struggle. Whether under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian governments are often perceived as having either tacitly supported or turned a blind eye to the Sri Lankan state’s actions during the civil war—actions widely recognized by international observers as having caused severe humanitarian crises and mass atrocities.

This disillusionment is not confined to historical memory. It is sustained by ongoing marginalization and human rights concerns in Sri Lanka’s Tamil-majority regions. For over 76 years, the Eelam Tamil people have endured systemic discrimination, militarization, and cultural erasure under successive Sri Lankan governments. Despite these realities, the concerns of the Eelam Tamils are frequently underrepresented or misunderstood in Indian policymaking circles.

A significant contributor to this misunderstanding is the frequent conflation of Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern Tamil issue with India’s internal northeastern conflicts. This mischaracterization, often repeated in Indian public discourse, not only misinforms the public but also dilutes the distinct political and cultural identity of the Eelam Tamil people. Additionally, despite shared linguistic and cultural heritage, certain Tamil Nadu intellectuals and political figures have occasionally contributed to this confusion by offering interpretations that fail to capture the unique historical and geopolitical nuances of the Eelam Tamil cause.

Through my travels and interactions across various Indian states—including Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar—I have observed that knowledge of the Eelam Tamil issue is alarmingly scarce. Even among well-educated circles, awareness is limited, with many encountering the subject as an unfamiliar or marginal topic. The same pattern emerges within diaspora communities in countries such as the United Kingdom, where the Eelam Tamil struggle is often perceived as an isolated narrative rather than an issue of regional and global significance.

Compounding this challenge is a trend within diaspora business and social networks to remain inward-looking. Many Eelam Tamil entrepreneurs cater exclusively to their own communities, rarely using their platforms to advocate for justice or raise awareness about historical injustices. As a result, discussions around the genocide and ongoing human rights concerns are increasingly relegated to symbolic observances or “weekend activism,” lacking sustained, strategic engagement with broader international audiences. In some cases, even fellow community members express skepticism or fatigue over continued advocacy efforts, questioning their effectiveness.

If India wishes to position itself as a responsible regional power and a true partner to oppressed communities in South Asia, it must adopt a more nuanced, inclusive, and historically informed approach. Symbolic gestures—such as a visit by the Prime Minister to the North and East—could go a long way in healing wounds, rebuilding trust, and opening the door to meaningful engagement with the Eelam Tamil population. More importantly, such gestures would reaffirm India’s commitment to democratic values, minority rights, and regional peacebuilding.

A failure to do so risks reinforcing the perception that India is more invested in strategic alliances with the Sri Lankan state than in championing the rights of those who continue to suffer under its rule. For a country that aspires to regional leadership and global influence, that perception may carry long-term diplomatic consequences.

Nila Bala (Balananthini Balasubramaniam)

United Kingdom

13:15

04/04/2025

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