Our friendship with China is not at the expense of India. India should not get too worried. The two governments understand what’s happening, and we are moving closely. It is only the Indian media which talks of an uneasiness in the ties. There’s nothing I can do about it. We have good defence and economic ties with New Delhi. We are looking at how India can help develop Trincomalee harbour along with Japan. We are both committed to seeing the success of the Bay of Bengal as an economic area. The economies of the five southern Indian states should be at least worth 500 billion dollars. If we work together, that can grow to nearly a trillion dollars. There is close sharing of security information. This has been one of the good periods in relations with India.
I don’t know why you are so worried about China. No one has offered us an iron fist, with or without a velvet glove. Please remember the global financial crisis of 2007, China was one of the major players to assist many countries with infrastructure development. Sri Lanka is not an exception. It is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) who have a special friendship. Some people even feel they are trying to dominate other developing economies. Yes, we have taken a large number of commercial loans from China but also from others. To repay them is a concern, so we are inviting foreign investment.
Chinese military submarines have been coming to Sri Lanka regularly. There is only one instance which became an issue. That was under former President Rajapaksa. Chinese submarines came here and the Indian government claimed -- and I think -- they were not informed. Just like any other country, the Chinese will come to Sri Lanka and visit us at times agreed by and convenient to us.
But there is no defence relationship with China.
Sri Lanka has always been the hub of the Indian Ocean. From time immemorial, Chinese ships have been coming to Sri Lanka on the Silk Route. Hambantota port was built with Chinese assistance. We have only said we are unable to pay the debts on it and that we will offer it to anyone who is willing to take it up. We persuaded Beijing to accept a debt-to-equity transfer. Some Chinese companies applied. We took the best and have got the Chinese to agree to go up to 1.5 billion dollars to pay for their share of the Joint Venture. We have 20 per cent for the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). So if anyone else in Sri Lanka wants to invest in Hambantota, we will give them the freedom to do so.
Well, Indian ships can come to Hambantota, there is no problem at all.
Actually, New Delhi is aware of that.
I met Mr Sharif very briefly. The vast majority of our Muslims work with other Sri Lankans. Of those who went to IS, some have been killed, we are in touch with the families of the others.
It’s not just a Tamil versus Sinhalese issue, it’s a centre versus periphery issue. Every province wants greater autonomy. But we have to be realistic and are discussing it. We are a democratic country.
The LTTE has been wiped out. And the number of the army troops in the North is being reduced gradually.
I have known him for a long time. In fact, I’ve kept in touch with him since his days as Chief Minister of Gujarat, when no one thought he would be the prime ministerial candidate. We continue that acquaintance and friendship.
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The interview will air again at 8 pm tonight