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Drug menace is a shared threat for Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka—and a new opportunity

A high-level political dialogue between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, supported by the Indian government, followed by a joint mechanism for cooperation would be a useful first step.

The waters of the Palk Strait have long connected India and Sri Lanka, but they have also been a source of tension. Today, they could provide an opportunity for a different kind of cooperation.

India and Sri Lanka have a good relationship and maintain a regular political dialogue. Defence, maritime, and economic cooperation have expanded in recent years. The more complicated dimension has historically been the relationship between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

The legacy of the separatist conflict continues to influence that relationship, while the fisheries dispute has periodically created tensions between communities on both sides of the Palk Strait. These are sensitive matters that require patience and political understanding.

There is, however, another issue that crosses the Palk Strait and affects both societies: drugs.

The growing narcotics problem in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu is a serious challenge. It could also provide an opportunity for cooperation in an area where their interests are fundamentally aligned.

Sri Lanka’s drug problem is no longer simply an urban phenomenon. It has spread into communities across the country, including rural areas. Jaffna and the Northern Province, which have had to contend with the long social consequences of the war, are also facing serious concerns about drug use among young people.

The emergence of synthetic drugs, particularly crystal methamphetamine,........

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