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Despite deep ties, India’s relations with Sri Lanka have seen strains due to China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka through investments and economic dominance. Analyse. 10 Markss (UPSC CSE Mains 2024- Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2).
Sri Lanka is an integral part of China’s Maritime Silk Road (MSR) and the most crucial pearl in the Pearl of String Theory. The "China angle" in India-Sri Lanka relations refers to China''s growing economic and strategic influence in Sri Lanka, which poses a potential challenge to India''s interests in the region. China has already invested $4 billion in Sri Lanka. The most crucial development in this regard is Hambantota Port was developed with Chinese loans. Later, Sri Lanka couldn’t service debt and was forced to give the port to China on lease for 99 years.
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China is following Debt Trap Diplomacy in Sri Lanka. China is trying to change the ‘Balance of Power in the Indian Ocean’, impacting India’s position as a Net Security Provider in the Indian Ocean. Chinese projects don’t allow the development of auxiliary industry materials like cement, steel, labour etc., is also imported from China. Hence, jobs are not created in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has allowed China to build enclaves around the Colombo port, where Chinese people will reside. To authorize these enclaves, a separate statute has been passed by the Sri Lankan Parliament.
Chinese projects are turning out to be White Elephants. ‘(epitomized by the Hambantota port, which was later given to China on a 99-year lease). These projects impact Indian security as
- Hambantota Port impacts the Indian position in the Indian ocean.
- Jaffna Hybrid Energy Project: A Chinese company was awarded the contract to install a hybrid renewable energy system about 50 km away from the Tamil Nadu coast.
Addressing Chinese Influence
- Strengthen India’s presence via economic cooperation, security frameworks, and people-centric initiatives.
- SAGAR and Neighbourhood First policies should be guiding lights in countering Beijing’s assertiveness.
- India must accelerate Trincomalee port development and strategic investments to counterbalance China’s expanding Indian Ocean footprint.
- India should also focus on ‘People to People Contact’ and use Buddhism and Buddhist Tourism Circuit to gain goodwill in Sri Lanka.
POSTED ON 05-05-2025 BY ADMIN
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