Lanka Prez treads a geopolitical tightrope
The New Indian Express Hyderabad|January 06, 2025
China has invested heavily in Sri Lanka, and India has, too, and the competing interests need careful management. A single wrong move may prove costly for the new administration
DILRUKSHI HANDUNNETTI

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake walked the diplomatic tightrope in December when he made his first international visit as the island nation's new president to New Delhi.

Dissanayake's party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) of old, is known for both anti-India sentiments and strong opposition to the India-brokered 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution that sought to devolve power to the provinces, which the JVP felt was a provision aiding separatism in the Tamil majority areas.

This discomfort apart, the discussions went smoothly, and the political pragmatism of choosing Delhi over Beijing is a message that the JVP/NPP has a softened and practical approach towards India.

India meanwhile is increasingly concerned about China's overtures to neighbouring countries and, as far as Sri Lanka goes, Beijing's economic and military influence. China's "research vessels" are disconcerting to India and there have been a few docking close to Colombo. In December, President Dissanayake assured Indian leaders that he would prevent anyone from using Sri Lankan territory for activities inimical to India's interests.

Relations with China became strained when the island's economy hit rock bottom and loans could not be serviced. It had taken time and effort to reach an agreement with Sri Lanka's largest bilateral lender before chalking a contract with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Sri Lanka owes Beijing a hefty $4.2 billion in debt, restructured in October 2023, marking a key milestone in the nation's path to economic recovery.

The new president must navigate complex geopolitics between Asia's two powers. He is also watched by many. It is not just India and China that keep their gaze fixed on the president but also the US with its strategic interests and historical relationship with Colombo.

Bu hikaye The New Indian Express Hyderabad dergisinin January 06, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The New Indian Express Hyderabad dergisinin January 06, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS HYDERABAD DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Maruti Suzuki Cars to Become Expensive by Up to ₹32,500 From Feb 1

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki (MSIL) will be hiking the prices of its vehicles by up to ₹32,500 from February 1, 2025, to offset the rise in input costs.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Want to revive 'family tree' at the click of a mouse? Come to Maha Kumbh

WITH lakhs of people taking holy dip at Maha Kumbh, pandas or traditional priests are busy tracing the roots of devotees through digitised family records in a camp at Sangam.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

The Eagle Stays in Staring Contest With the Bear

Given the postures Trump and Putin struck this week, a thaw in US-Russia relations is unlikely anytime soon. Trump is not intent on jettisoning US claims to global hegemony

time-read
4 dak  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

SC orders man's arrest over repeated filing of bail pleas, slaps ₹2 lakh fine

THE Supreme Court has directed the Amritsar police commissioner to arrest a petitioner within three days for filing bail applications twice.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Notices to Ola, Uber over price disparity

THE Centre has issued notices to Ola and Uber over complaints that they were charging different prices from customers depending on whether the booking was from an iPhone or an Android smartphone.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

New Fire Erupts Near LA, Triggers Evacuation

An explosive new wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes and setting nerves jangling in an area still reeling from two deadly blazes.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

HUDCO sanctioned ₹12,677 cr loans for TG projects since Dec '23

THE state government continues to rely on Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) loans for executing various projects.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Lakshya, Sat-Chi bow out

ILL form continues to haunt most of the Indian shuttlers at the moment.

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

MoD Okays Mazagon Dock Bid for P75 Submarines

Six advanced submarines to be built under project

time-read
1 min  |
January 24, 2025
The New Indian Express Hyderabad

Spin it to win it: Varun growing in stature

Gambhir and other leaders in the team has propelled spinner to be more attacking, says former India pacer Balaji

time-read
2 dak  |
January 24, 2025