SRI LANKA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN ZONE OF PEACE: A FORGOTTEN VISION AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Marking United Nations Day 2026

By Nethma Hettigedara

In October 2026, researchers representing the Awarelogue Asian Institute gathered at the United Nations Compound in Colombo for a knowledge seminar on ‘Sri Lanka and the United Nations General Assembly.’ They met with the UN Resident Coordinator, Marc-André Franche, to learn more about Sri Lanka's engagement with the UN. At a time when the UN is facing increasing scrutiny, and at a time when its complexities may not always be fully understood, this blog looks back at an important moment in Sri Lanka’s engagement with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Can a small island nation like ours influence the security of an entire ocean? Today, with all the geopolitics playing in the field, this might seem too ambitious to even talk about. But in 1971, Sri Lanka attempted exactly that. In 1971, at the 26th United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike proposed making the Indian Ocean a Zone of Peace. This was at a time when the United States and the Soviet Union were expanding their naval presence. Now, more than five decades later, this remains a good example of the extent to which smaller states like Sri Lanka can influence international affairs.

The proposal was not something that appeared overnight. It emerged from decolonisation and the Non-Aligned Movement. On one hand, Britain was reducing its military presence east of Suez. On the other, the Indian Ocean was becoming an area of superpower competition involving warships, military bases and nuclear weapons. Sri Lanka feared that this rivalry could threaten the independence of newly sovereign countries. Needless to mention, there were regional concerns too, as removing foreign navies would not necessarily prevent a powerful neighbouring state from dominating the region.

Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike promoted this idea at the 1964 Cairo Non-Aligned Summit and developed it further at Lusaka in 1970. She stated at the Assembly that Indian Ocean countries needed peace to develop their economies and improve the lives of its people. Her proposal included restrictions on military installations, naval exercises and weapons testing. This was also while recognising the importance of international trade. Consequently, on 16 December 1971, the UNGA adopted Resolution 2832 (XXVI).

The resolution declared the Indian Ocean, within limits to be determined, a Zone of Peace. It received 61 votes in favour, none against and 55 abstentions. This showed that adopting a resolution did not necessarily mean everyone was in full agreement. Nonetheless, what Sri Lanka and its partners achieved was substantial. They were able to successfully bring the issue onto the UN agenda. In 1972, an Ad Hoc Committee was established to discuss implementation. However, getting an issue recognised was one thing, convincing powerful countries to act on it was another.

The proposal faced difficulties from the beginning. Sri Lanka’s original vision sought restrictions on military activities by both regional and external powers. But negotiations narrowed the focus mainly to great-power rivalry. The United States and the Soviet Union were unwilling to give up their military advantages. India supported the idea in principle but resisted restrictions on its own naval and nuclear capabilities. India's 1974 nuclear test further complicated matters. Furthermore, after 1977, Sri Lanka's changing foreign policy priorities and India’s influence also weakened the commitment.

Decades later, the Indian Ocean remains strategically important. Competition involving India, China and the United States now extends into ports, research vessels, investments and shipping routes. Given Sri Lanka's location, these developments can place the country under pressure from different sides.

Does all of this mean the idea of a peace zone has lost its relevance? Not necessarily. A completely demilitarised Indian Ocean may be difficult to achieve, but the need for peaceful cooperation still remains. Sri Lanka can continue supporting fair maritime rules, regional cooperation and an independent foreign policy.

Looking back, the proposal did not achieve everything it intended. Yet, calling it a failure would overlook an important achievement. We, as a small island nation, brought a major security concern before the world and made it part of the UNGA’s discussions.

Perhaps the most important lesson we can gain from this engagement with UNGA is that passing a resolution and making it a reality are two different things. The United Nations provides a platform for smaller nations to make their voices heard. But turning those ideas into action requires cooperation that goes beyond individual national interests. The challenge, then and now, is turning the vision of peace into reality.

References

Bandaranaike, S. (1971, October 12). Address to the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly. United Nations General Assembly, 1962nd plenary meeting.

De Silva, S. (2021). Disarmament, Indian Ocean and strategic externalities: The case of Sri Lanka. Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, 4(2), 268–286.

Joshi, Y. (2019). Whither non-alignment? Indian Ocean Zone of Peace and New Delhi's selective alignment with great powers during the Cold War, 1964–1979. Diplomacy & Statecraft, 30(1), 26–49.

Kandasamy, N. (2024). Indian Ocean internationalisms: The Sri Lankan pursuit of peace, 1971–89. Journal of Contemporary History, 59(4), 705–731.

Keerawella, G. B. (1988). The growth of superpower naval rivalry in the Indian Ocean and Sri Lankan response.

Waidyatilake, B. (2018). A smaller state’s quest for Indian Ocean security: The case of Sri Lanka. Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies.