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.
This story is from the January 06, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Kottayam.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 06, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Kottayam.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Clinical Sinner Crushes De Minaur To Advance
DEFENDING champion Jannik Sinner raced into the Australian Open semifinals on Wednesday in imperious fashion after Iga Swiatek was equally ruthless to close on a first Melbourne crown.
Son, Ellison, Altman Come Together for AI
Administration sends note to all employees at Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility offices that they be placed on paid leave as the programme is shut
Quad Meet Says Committed to Regional Maritime Security
IN the first major diplomatic event of the second Donald Trump presidency, Quad countries opposed any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion while reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific.
PPE kit row: Oppn releases docu to buttress its charge
Releases letter to KMSCL by TN firm expressing its willingness to provide 25,000 kits at ₹550 a piece, a day before deal with M'rashtra Co at ₹1,550 per piece
India Will Comply With ICC Dress Code for CT: Saikia
WITH reports of the Indian team not having Pakistan's name on the jersey for the upcoming Champions Trophy, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed to this daily that ICC rules will be adhered to and no changes would be made.
MHA Directs Maha Govt to Take Action Against Illegal Immigrants from B'desh
\"Take appropriate action\"
JD(U) flip-flop on withdrawal of support to Biren govt in Manipur
THE Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday sacked its Manipur unit president Ksh Biren Singh, hours after he wrote to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla informing him of the party's withdrawal of support to the BJP-led government in the state.
2 more bodies found, C'garh gunfight toll 16
IN a breakthrough, security forces gunned down two Maoists, including an area commander, during an anti-Naxal operation in Bokaro early Wednesday morning.
CM backs private firm's continued operations of Maniyar hydel plant
AMID THE standoff between the departments of industries and electricity over the Maniyar small hydro electric power plant in Pathanamthitta, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has taken a pro-industry stance that the private company, which presently runs the 14 MW plant, should be allowed to continue with its operations.
At 200 complaints per day, MVD's Citizen Sentinel initiative turns a hit
THE Citizen Sentinel feature in the NextGen mParivahan app launched by the motor vehicle department (MVD) is gaining popularity in the state.