India Seeks Closer Sri Lankan Ties as Chinese Presence Grows

[Saifullah Sani]

NEW DELHI — Concerned over the rising presence of the Chinese in the Indian Ocean region, India has offered to boost defense ties with the southern island nation of Sri Lanka.

Indian Navy Chief Adm. D.K. Joshi was on a five-day visit to Sri Lanka last week where he offered to help train Sri Lankan sailors at Indian training establishments.

The visit comes after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month skipped attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, after pressure from political groups in Tamil Nadu who oppose any diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka because of conflicts over the rights of ethnic Lankan Tamils.

“It would be against Indian interests to see Sri Lanka tilting toward China and even allow establishment of a base on the island nation, close to India,” said Mahindra Singh, retired Indian Army major general and defense analyst.

China has established a presence in ports around India, including Chittagong in Bangladesh, Coco Island in Myanmar, Hambantota in Sri Lanka and Gwadar in Pakistan, added Singh.

The UN Human Rights Council in March adopted a US-sponsored resolution regarding human rights violations in Sri Lanka with 25 countries, including India, voting in favor.

China has been able to establish deeper relations with Sri Lanka at the expense of India after the Indian government hardened its stance against Colombo because of domestic political pressure, said a source in the Indian Foreign Ministry. New Delhi now has to work hard to strike better defense ties with the island nation.


India Seeks Closer Sri Lankan Ties as Chinese Presence Grows | Defense News | defensenews.com

 

[Beidou2020]

Sri Lankans don't trust the Indians. That's why they want our presence to check the Indian bully.

 

[Skyline]

We are with China because it's more developed country and they have clear future, so dealing with such a country is more profitable in various sections than keeping close ties with weaker India.
India cannot do much things when it comes to world arena. It is hilarious when some compare India with China. There is a huge gap guys India is decades and decades behind China, so it's more important us to keep strong ties with China.

And also Sri Lankans know China is helping us to fulfill their own agendas. (more presence in Indian Ocean)It does not an issue to us, so SL welcomes China to Indian Ocean.

 

[!nv!ctu$]

wrong reporting..Coco Island doesn't have any Chinese presence,same goes for Chittagong,where they only offered to develop the port,and I don't think even BD decided to whom the tender will go.as for Sri Lanka,we're second largest donor.we're just waiting a new govt to take charge than this genocidal govt.

if someone wants to blame India for pushing Sri Lanka hard,they should take a look for other countries like USA and UK too...

 

[Beidou2020]

We are with China because it's more developed country and they have clear future, so dealing with such a country is more profitable in various sections than keeping close ties with weaker India.
India cannot do much things when it comes to world arena. It is hilarious when some compare India with China. There is a huge gap guys India is decades and decades behind China, so it's more important us to keep strong ties with China.

And also Sri Lankans know China is helping us to fulfill their own agendas. (more presence in Indian Ocean)It does not an issue to us, so SL welcomes China to Indian Ocean.

Between us, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, we can ensure the bully doesn't disrupt the peace and affect economic development in the region.

 

[gslv mk3]

Between us, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, we can ensure the bully doesn't disrupt the peace and affect economic development in the region.

Huh Bully?We dont make claims on Oceans or Seas or Islands that belong to other countries,Thats why Vietnam,Indonesia etc are on our side to counter Chinese hegemony.

And you'll ensure?There is nothing you can do in the IOR.

Economic benefits?What economic benefits have Pakistan recieved?You have not helped them,even with their infrastructure.

Chinese and some fellow S.Asians are truly delusional..Check @Skyline post-decades behind China......how can they even compare... Cheerleaders..

 

[Skyline]

@gslv mk3 Malaysia about to become high income country around 2018, then China and Thailand around 2025, Sri Lanka also become high income country around 2030 but India has long way to go.

 

[Developereo]

Sri Lanka's relationship with India will always be held hostage to the Indian Tamil factor.

There is no such baggage with other countries.

 

[Contrarian]

Sri Lanka's relationship with India will always be held hostage to the Indian Tamil factor.

There is no such baggage with other countries.

True.
But a strong Center will not bow down to Tamil politicians like Manmohan is doing for the last decade.

 

[Developereo]

True.
But a strong Center will not bow down to Tamil politicians like Manmohan is doing for the last decade.

There will always be some accommodation; the difference between the administrations will be a matter of degree and no one can predict the future.

The fact remains that there is no such factor in relations with other countries.

 

[BDforever]

India's activities: 1. I do not count you, you are very small to me---->2. (After china approach to that small country) fk why that small country close to china, you fking china ----> 3. damn need to run to that small country and make good relation. (these 1 to 3 activites run again and again)

 

[Contrarian]

India's activities: 1. I do not count you, you are very small to me---->2. (After china approach to that small country) fk why that small country close to china, you fking china ----> 3. damn need to run to that small country and make good relation. (these 1 to 3 activites run again and again)

Cant deny that. Our foreign policies are just not proactive enough, they are reactive. Its as if Nehruvian era is still maintained in the MEA...Nehru always considered smaller countries as less important to India and assumed superiority.

Whereas in today's day and age, each country is important.

There will always be some accommodation; the difference between the administrations will be a matter of degree and no one can predict the future.

The fact remains that there is no such factor in relations with other countries.

The difference in degree can be substantial at times. I would not count it out. When the Center is strong, the State's influence is close to nil.
It gets from there to exactly opposite. Its the opposite situation now.

 

[cirr]

@gslv mk3 Malaysia about to become high income country around 2018, then China and Thailand around 2025, Sri Lanka also become high income country around 2030 but India has long way to go.

I have an issue with the prediction for China in the table。

China's per capita income will be very close to，if not surpass，the $10000 mark in 2015.

Why？

China's 2013 GDP will be $9.5-9.7 trillion based on year-end market exchange rates.

China is likely to grow 7.5% real, 12-12.5% nominal and 14-15% at market price in 2014, thereby producing a GDP of some $11 trillion.

China will use the SNA 2008 method for calculating GDP starting 2015, which is forecast to bring about a 20-22% surge in economic output over 2014, giving a GDP of $13.4 trillion.

This is all guess-work for now. We shall wait and see how things actually fan out in 2 years.