DNA Edit: How to treat Lanka

Colombo’s declaration of a “state of emergency” after communal clashes broke out in Kandy has set alarm bells ringing in New Delhi. Though the MEA has described the issue as that of Sri Lanka’s “internal matter,” there is no doubt the situation has ramifications for New Delhi which already has its hands full in dealing with the fallout of the crisis in the Maldives.

So far, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen has not only refused India’s request to end the state of emergency there, but has pointedly looked to end India’s sphere of influence over the island nation by sending out feelers to “friendly countries.”

This was made all too clear in February last month when the President sent envoys to China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia — pointedly leaving out India. The implications were not lost on anyone. With India seeming to have lost goodwill in the Maldives for the moment, New Delhi would be doubly anxious to ensure that a similar situation does not arise in Colombo.

The fact that the cricket team is playing there shows New Delhi’s bid to be seen as standing by its neighbour in its hour of need. Such measures are all the more important as Sri Lanka has in the past been doubtful of India’s intentions.

The disastrous decision by Rajiv Gandhi in sending the IPKF — Indian Peace Keeping Force — in 1987 has raised bitter memories which has taken years of patient diplomacy to extinguish. New Delhi needs to continue with more such confidence-building measures if it is to strengthen the hand of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Unlike the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa government, which allowed China to increase its presence in the island nation, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has tried to reduce Beijing’s sphere of influence in his country. 

In May last year, he rejected Beijing’s request to dock a submarine in his country. Interestingly, the request came on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Sri Lanka. Such actions suggest that PM Wickremesinghe will do all he can to maintain good relations with New Delhi. But India needs to reciprocate as there are factions within the Sri Lankan government who see Beijing as a better bet for them.

China has sought to woo the island nation through economics and has gone on a infrastructure building spree there with the result that cash strapped Sri Lanka owes an estimated US $8 billion to China. To pay back some of these loans, Colombo handed over its strategically located Habantota port in December last year on a 99-year lease to a Chinese-state owned firm for $1.1 billion, a move which alarmed New Delhi.

While Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has assured that the port will not be used as a ‘military base’, New Delhi is worried that with economic debts rising Chinese influence could reach a point where Sri Lanka cannot say no.

This is where India needs to step in decisively. Showing solidarity with Sri Lanka through cricket is a good start but more concrete action is what is needed. The question is how fast can New Delhi provide it.