Both nations reiterate commitment to defence collaboration and regional stability
India strengthened its ties with its closest maritime neighbor, Sri Lanka, this week, countering the growing influence of China in the island nation. Sri Lanka’s President, H.E. Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, made his first bilateral visit to New Delhi following the recent presidential and parliamentary elections. Earlier this year, President Dissanayaka had also visited Delhi at a time when Sri Lanka’s political future, including the timing of its elections, was still uncertain. The new President came to power riding on the left-leaning party, which is known to have harboured some Anti-Indian sentiments in the past. However, New Delhi chose to bet on the relatively young Marxist leader, hoping for a sense of prudence in future. Disnayaka in the past, has managed to maintain a fine balance in Sri Lanka’s bilateral relations with India and China, not trying to get caught in any crossfire.
Meanwhile, while India’s military tensions with China have de-escalated in the recent past, it still chooses to be cautious. Special Representatives from India and China also met this week in Beijing, to discuss their mutual bilateral relations. It seems that with the Trump administration back in the Oval Office in January, China wants to de-escalate military tensions with countries it considers as rivals. China is aware that Trump is likely to impose tariffs on many of its exports to the US, and perhaps further tighten the transfer of high-end technology from America. It is acutely aware that, India would not join an economic dialogue unless the overarching military issues are sorted.It is against this background, that Sri Lankan President’s visit to India assumes significance. It may be recalled that China had in the past, sent spy ships (which it calls maritime research vehicles) to Sri Lankan waters, which have raised many red flags for the Indian security agencies.