From Editor's Desk

Shifting Tides: Re-Orientation of Sri Lanka Towards India?

The meeting of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has added a new dimension to the relations between the two countries, and its strategic ramifications are much broader than the bilateral level. The visit, which was characterised by warmth and mutual respect, indicates a significant change in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy with specific reference to China. As President Dissanayake interacted with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, there is a clear indication that Sri Lanka is making efforts to reposition its geopolitical orientation.

As a matter of fact, China has been a long term partner of Sri Lanka, particularly in the areas of economic and infrastructural development. Chinese projects such as the Hambantota Port development and other infrastructural projects have aroused apprehension in some quarters. Such initiatives, which are considered as self-evident elements of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, increased China's military and economic activities within the Indian Ocean region, a vital strategic domain for India. The visit is a reinforcement of the greater convergence within Sri Lanka and India particularly in relation to avenues of economic relations, security and peace in the region.

For India, this is a welcome development, as it not only reinforces its role as a regional leader but also ensures greater influence in the Indian Ocean. In a larger context, India views Sri Lanka as an important partner in its “Neighborhood First” policy, which seeks to strengthen relations with neighbouring countries to counterbalance external influences, notably China’s.

For China, Dissanayake’s gestures towards India are a clear signal that Colombo may be reconsidering its close ties with Beijing. While Sri Lanka has historically maintained a delicate balancing act between China and India, the economic realities of the current global order and the Sri Lankan debt crisis have forced a reassessment of this approach. As China’s ambitions in the Indian Ocean continue to grow, Sri Lanka’s decision to engage more deeply with India will be closely watched by Beijing.