When was the Sirima-Shastri Pact signed?

The correct answer is 1964.

Key Points

• The Sirima-Shastri Pact was signed between Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1964.
• The pact primarily focused on the status and repatriation of Indian-origin Tamils, who had migrated to Sri Lanka during British colonial rule for plantation work.
• Under the agreement, 300,000 Indian-origin Tamils were to be repatriated to India, while 150,000 were to be granted Sri Lankan citizenship.
• The agreement aimed to resolve the issue of statelessness among Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka, ensuring basic rights and citizenship.
• This pact marked a significant diplomatic effort to address the ethnic and social challenges faced by the Indian-origin population in Sri Lanka.

Additional Information

• Indian-Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka:
  • Indian-origin Tamils were brought to Sri Lanka by the British as indentured laborers for tea and rubber plantations.
  • Post-independence, many of them faced issues of statelessness and lacked basic rights due to non-recognition as citizens.
• Impact of the Pact:
  • The Sirima-Shastri Pact was among the first major agreements to tackle the statelessness issue in Sri Lanka.
  • It led to repatriation programs and citizenship grants but was criticized for being slow in implementation.
• Lal Bahadur Shastri's Role:
  • Shastri was known for his pragmatic approach to international relations, evident in the signing of the pact.
  • He aimed to maintain cordial relations with Sri Lanka while addressing the plight of Indian-origin Tamils.
• Sirimavo Bandaranaike's Leadership:
  • Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the world’s first female prime minister and played a crucial role in negotiating the pact.
  • She sought to balance Sri Lanka's demographic concerns with humanitarian considerations.