However, the strategic value of Hambantota and its commercial/naval potential has raised Indian suspicions of China’s intentions in what it sees as its sphere of influence, and in the process has contributed to an escalating India-China rivalry.
INDIAN CONCERNS
India has long been concerned with China’s increasing inroads into Sri Lanka and has demonstrated its displeasure on numerous occasions. In early 2007, Indian National Security Advisor MK Narayanan criticized Sri Lanka for attempting to purchase a Chinese built JY-11 3D radar system on the grounds that it would ‘overarch’ into Indian airspace.
‘It is high time that Sri Lanka understood that India is the big power in the region and ought to refrain from going to Pakistan or China for weapons, as we are prepared to accommodate them within the framework of our foreign policy,’ he said. There have also been tensions surrounding the construction of the massive Colombo South Harbour Development Project and mining rights to the Mannar Basin.
But India’s concerns over Chinese investment in Hambantota are not based solely on military grounds. And Sri Lanka is said to have initially offered the project to India, which declined it for undisclosed reasons. One reason may have been political and commercial considerations, and India’s ambitions to upgrade its own ports in southern India, namely Vizhinjam, Tuticorin, and Cochin. Historically, there has been a fierce and longstanding rivalry between Indian and Sri Lankan ports, particularly Colombo, which dominates the region’s lucrative transhipment trade.
B. Raman, a retired senior Indian intelligence official formerly affiliated with India’s key external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, is quoted as saying: ‘Presently, the Colombo port enjoys a better reputation in international shipping circles than the ports in South India. The turn-over time for ships in Colombo is much less than in the ports of South India. The Sri Lankan authorities are worried that the Colombo port might lose the advantages presently enjoyed by it vis-à-vis the ports in South India when the construction of the Sethusamudram Canal and the work of modernisation of the ports in South India undertaken by the Government of India is completed.’
Such views do much to put the Hambantota port issue in context — the facility will diminish India’s ability to compete. India’s dilemma is compounded by Sri Lanka’s ambitions to harness its strategic location astride Indian Ocean shipping arterials, with Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama, Chairman, Sri Lanka Port Authority, noting: ‘Over 200 ships sail this route [daily] and we want to attract them. Our vision is to consolidate the position of Sri Lanka as the premier maritime logistic centre of the Asian region.’
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT
As Rajapakse recently stated, the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war has ushered in a new era in the nation’s foreign policy. But in the aftermath of the LTTE defeat, there is likely to be growing strategic rivalry between India and China, something which will also complicate Sri Lanka’s relations with the West.
So far, at least, Sri Lanka appears to have successfully balanced the competing interests of India and China. ‘There are elements in America and India who would like to raise the China bogey,’ former Sri Lankan diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala told the Lakbima News. ‘This is not a zero sum game where our relationship with China is at the expense of our relationship with India. We cleverly balanced the relationship.’
If he is right, and if Sri Lanka handles its foreign policy judiciously, the country could continue to benefit from the new Great Game in the Indian Ocean.
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N.P.Kandasamy
I wish that Sri Lanka can achieve any target now.As a Tamil man who lives in Sri Lanka I know how much this country has changed after the 30 year war.Now days there are no racism, nothing harmful.But the tamils who are living in other countries don’t understand this.Becouse they live in luxurious conditions and they knows only the things they see in Television.So how could they decide who’s telling the truth.I suggest all of the Tamils to visit Sri Lanka and see for yourself.Then you will understand than all the Europian media are brilliant liars.The tamils in sri lanka are happy more than ever.Don’t try to rob it away from them.If you really love tamils I suggest you help Sri Lanka to become the “wonder of asia”.Otherwise you’re nothing but a fake Tamil who don’t know, what is being a Tamil is all about.As tamil people we all should rally round Sri Lanka to make Sri Lanka “the wonder of asia”.Long Live Sri Lanka…..