From Hostility to Pragmatism: The Evolution of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) Relationship with India

By : Ajay Darshan Behera

Page No: 269-291

Abstract
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has undergone a profound transformation in Sri Lankan politics, evolving from a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist-Maoist movement vehemently opposed to India into a pragmatic political party. This shift stems from internal reforms, post-civil war realities, and changing geopolitical dynamics in South Asia. Critical issues such as the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, the Tamil national question, and the JVP’s entry into democratic politics have marked its ideological and strategic evolution. After the end of the civil war, the JVP directed attention to inclusive governance and balanced foreign policy, strengthening ties with India while safeguarding Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. The JVP-NPP coalition’s 2024 electoral victories highlight this pragmatic turn, with economic cooperation, regional stability, and reconciliation efforts shaping a renewed bilateral relationship. These developments redefine JVP’s role, and have broader implications for Sri Lanka’s domestic politics and regional geopolitics.

Author
Ajay Darshan Behera is a Professor at the MMAJ Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/IFAJ.2024.19.4.4