US, India should try to keep Lanka away from China's sway

[Lankan Ranger]

Sri Lanka has stressed its principle of friendship towards all, enmity towards none in its diplomacy. Sri Lanka traditionally follows a Non-Aligned Foreign Policy and does not take sides with major powers.

Since the end of the Cold War, the country has pursued better relations with all major powers and seeks to strengthen its diplomatic, economic and military ties with India, Bangladesh, Russia, United States, China, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and European Union. Sri Lanka has also forged close ties with the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), African Union and Arab League.

Sri Lanka’s growing economy, strategic location, friendly foreign policy has won it more allies. Sri Lanka has friendly relations with several countries in the developing world. Though Sri Lanka is not a part of any major military alliance, it has close strategic and military relationship with most of the major powers.

 

[isro2222]

@Lankan Ranger its because of india your tiny midget nation still breathing.... Last year india gave america permission to enter shri lanka to give a hint about your future.... Its india that holds your destiny. Your president is a toddler who was begging help from india when lankan army tried to topple goverment. It was indian military that saved him. China cant protect themself in SCS how can they come help a midget nation. Learn from pakistan. China didnt help them in 1971 and 1999. Read what america did that made lanka shiver and how india laughed on it.
http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-...e-into-sri-lanka-air-space-breaking-news.html

 

[Echo_419]

This is to The Heritage Foundation -

http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-...t-up-strategic-partnership-breaking-news.html

http://www.defence.pk/forums/central-south-asia/277567-china-looking-sign-fta-sri-lanka.html

http://www.defence.pk/forums/centra...-neighbors-not-worry-about-its-rise-asia.html

Exactly & why does the article suggest that we should work with the US rather than an Asian Power
China may be not the best Neighbor but it is a hell lot better than the US
Who have a use & throw relationship with their Partners

 

[Lankan Ranger]

@Lankan Ranger its because of india your tiny midget nation still breathing.... Last year india gave america permission to enter shri lanka to give a hint about your future.... Its india that holds your destiny. Your president is a toddler who was begging help from india when lankan army tried to topple goverment. It was indian military that saved him. China cant protect themself in SCS how can they come help a midget nation. Learn from pakistan. China didnt help them in 1971 and 1999. Read what america did that made lanka shiver and how india laughed on it.
http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-...e-into-sri-lanka-air-space-breaking-news.html

India fifth-largest target on US electronic spying list

India has emerged as the fifth most tracked country by the US intelligence which used a secret data-mining programme to monitor worldwide internet data.

India fifth-largest target on US electronic spying list - Sci/Tech - DNA

India concerned at US spying on embassy reports


The Indian government expressed concern Wednesday over reports US intelligence services spied on 38 diplomatic missions including India's embassy in Washington, saying it would take up the issue with US authorities.

India concerned at US spying on embassy reports | Fox News

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Unless Srilanka dont want to be anther state of India !

No need to stop China-Sri Lanka trade. Anyhow we cannot even stop it if we want.

Just ensure that SL does not do anything that harms Indian security. Like giving Naval Base to China etc.

If SL in future decides to give such a facility to China, then let SL do so at the cost of its own independence.

In next Sino-India SL should be annexed and merged into India.

But if SL does not take any steps that harm Indian security then well I am happy for SL if they get good business deals from China. I do not think India has anything to loose here. It may be good for Sril Lankan people development.

http://www.defence.pk/forums/centra...-largest-trading-partner-south-east-asia.html

 

[Sashan]

Well said.
Our policy towards Sri Lanka has becomea hostage to regional parties in TN, when central govt should've been deciding what to do. Also the issue of frequent harrasment of Indian fishremen should need to be sorted out as quickly as possible. We've had a reasonably good relations with SL and i don't see why a dialogue will not bear positive results provided there is a vision in foreign policy and guts to follow it.

There are no reasonably good relations for India with SL - SL was in the U.S camp during the cold war and so allowed Pakistani flights to be refuelled during the 1971 war. And besides that SL was planning or atleast there were rumors about S.L allowing U.S base in Trincomalee.


So lets see what was happening in parallel - SL tamil movement led by TULF though which was a non-violent movement due to the discrimination policies of SL since independence declared in 1977 and stood on the plank of secession and won the elections in the Tamil areas and riots followed which convinced some radicalized youth to take up arms but these were fringe elements.


Enter India after 1983 tamil riots to take advantage of the situation for its own interests and arms the radicalized youth to the core which are nothing but LTTE,EROS,ERPLF and other militant groups. And conduct Operation Poomalai to bring SL to its knees and sign the Rajiv-Jayawardene accord to implement 13th amendment and sends IPKF for enforcing that and turns into a fight between IPKF and LTTE(aided by SL government). With Rajiv death, India has hands off policy wrt SL but enter SL-LTTE war after Rajapakshe brothers promise 13 plus amendment and helps SL in destroying LTTE high sea warehouses and causing the defeat of LTTE and in the later stages of the war discriminative killings by both sides.


Now people in TN have tie up with SL tamilians for ages - The support for the SL tamil cause is high due to the underlying politics between tamils(people of TN and SL together) and Sinhalas going back 5th century where Sinhala history was rewritten by some Buddhist monks to reflect that Sinhalas are the chosen people to rule SL. And India has played with this sentiment bringing up 13th amendment and 13 plus amendment. Who did India consult?

Now do other Indians expect that the people from TN will sit and watch while India would take advantage of the situation? Or what is that the other Indians are expecting for the TN to do? Sit idle and twiddle their fingers? TN is using its right to influence the foreign policy of India in a democratic setup. Playing with tamilian sentiments for convenience is not an option. While billions of dollars are being thrown in two fronts(Pakistan and China border), throw more in the SL border or have the temerity to teach SL a lesson so as SL does not go towards China - afterall TN is providing billions in surplus revenue to the central government unlike many other states who suck up all the money due to mismanagement. It is a federal setup and TN will bay for its own piece of cake.

 

[Indo-guy]

Exactly & why does the article suggest that we should work with the US rather than an Asian Power
China may be not the best Neighbor but it is a hell lot better than the US
Who have a use & throw relationship with their Partners

China is lot better than US ???


On what premise your conclusion that China is better than US is based ???


I will give you small and pertinent example ....

in 2010 Pakistan was thrashed by worst floods in its history since formation.....displacing millions of people .....creating one of the worst kind of humanitarian crisis .

India immediately announced aid worth of 5 million USD while China announced aid worth 1.48 million dollars .

After exact scope of disaster became clear India eventually increased aid to 25 million USD .

China was heavily criticized world over for offering meager aid to its ally with which it shares " higher than mountains and deeper than oceans " all weather relationship.

US to which most Pakistanis hate offered aid running upto 150 million dollars .

China which is No 2 economy in word with highest growth rate ....with its 8 trillion dollar size economy was criticized even by Pakistani agencies .
China eventually increased its aid to 47 million dollars .

Ashamed with worldwide criticism towards China's meager aid , China did promise to provide further200 million dollar aid . But it didn't come voluntarily .



This was China's treatment to its " all weather friend......" . When weather turned bad ....China lagged in extending helping hand to its closest and special friend .....It had to be coaxed ....!!!

So people who say that China is lot better ally than US ....better read the facts well !


Truly speaking China is no better than US .


It treats its ally as stepping stones ....only reason China entertains Pakistan because of immense value it provides as Its proxy against India .


All countries in region including Pakistan should read China's true intentions carefully !


As said before ....the relations based on 'needs' last only as long as needs are being fulfilled .

 

[Indo-guy]

There are no reasonably good relations for India with SL - SL was in the U.S camp during the cold war and so allowed Pakistani flights to be refuelled during the 1971 war. And besides that SL was planning or atleast there were rumors about S.L allowing U.S base in Trincomalee.


So lets see what was happening in parallel - SL tamil movement led by TULF though which was a non-violent movement due to the discrimination policies of SL since independence declared in 1977 and stood on the plank of secession and won the elections in the Tamil areas and riots followed which convinced some radicalized youth to take up arms but these were fringe elements.


Enter India after 1983 tamil riots to take advantage of the situation for its own interests and arms the radicalized youth to the core which are nothing but LTTE,EROS,ERPLF and other militant groups. And conduct Operation Poomalai to bring SL to its knees and sign the Rajiv-Jayawardene accord to implement 13th amendment and sends IPKF for enforcing that and turns into a fight between IPKF and LTTE(aided by SL government). With Rajiv death, India has hands off policy wrt SL but enter SL-LTTE war after Rajapakshe brothers promise 13 plus amendment and helps SL in destroying LTTE high sea warehouses and causing the defeat of LTTE and in the later stages of the war discriminative killings by both sides.


Now people in TN have tie up with SL tamilians for ages - The support for the SL tamil cause is high due to the underlying politics between tamils(people of TN and SL together) and Sinhalas going back 5th century where Sinhala history was rewritten by some Buddhist monks to reflect that Sinhalas are the chosen people to rule SL. And India has played with this sentiment bringing up 13th amendment and 13 plus amendment. Who did India consult?

Now do other Indians expect that the people from TN will sit and watch while India would take advantage of the situation? Or what is that the other Indians are expecting for the TN to do? Sit idle and twiddle their fingers? TN is using its right to influence the foreign policy of India in a democratic setup. Playing with tamilian sentiments for convenience is not an option. While billions of dollars are being thrown in two fronts(Pakistan and China border), throw more in the SL border or have the temerity to teach SL a lesson so as SL does not go towards China - afterall TN is providing billions in surplus revenue to the central government unlike many other states who suck up all the money due to mismanagement. It is a federal setup and TN will bay for its own piece of cake.

Totally agree with your thoughts ....we can't expect our politicians in Delhi or Tamilnadu maturity to rise above personal interests and put nation above everything ....

We have committed many blunders in past ....If Sri Lanka views us as opportunist ...we shouldn't be surprised .

Unfortunately Tamilnadu politics is going to dictate our Sri Lanka policy ....means no hope for Indo-Sri Lanka ties to improve ...

 

[kbd-raaf]

Don't care.

If this means appeasing these who kill our fishermen then hell no.

They can go to China and seek to become another Pakistan for all we care.

Don't be silly. Sri Lanka is a rational nation.

If fishermen were shot, it was due after due consideration the same that is expected from the ICG and IN.

It's pathetic that regionalism in India has undermined it's relationship with SL.

 

[Echo_419]

There are no reasonably good relations for India with SL - SL was in the U.S camp during the cold war and so allowed Pakistani flights to be refuelled during the 1971 war. And besides that SL was planning or atleast there were rumors about S.L allowing U.S base in Trincomalee.


So lets see what was happening in parallel - SL tamil movement led by TULF though which was a non-violent movement due to the discrimination policies of SL since independence declared in 1977 and stood on the plank of secession and won the elections in the Tamil areas and riots followed which convinced some radicalized youth to take up arms but these were fringe elements.


Enter India after 1983 tamil riots to take advantage of the situation for its own interests and arms the radicalized youth to the core which are nothing but LTTE,EROS,ERPLF and other militant groups. And conduct Operation Poomalai to bring SL to its knees and sign the Rajiv-Jayawardene accord to implement 13th amendment and sends IPKF for enforcing that and turns into a fight between IPKF and LTTE(aided by SL government). With Rajiv death, India has hands off policy wrt SL but enter SL-LTTE war after Rajapakshe brothers promise 13 plus amendment and helps SL in destroying LTTE high sea warehouses and causing the defeat of LTTE and in the later stages of the war discriminative killings by both sides.


Now people in TN have tie up with SL tamilians for ages - The support for the SL tamil cause is high due to the underlying politics between tamils(people of TN and SL together) and Sinhalas going back 5th century where Sinhala history was rewritten by some Buddhist monks to reflect that Sinhalas are the chosen people to rule SL. And India has played with this sentiment bringing up 13th amendment and 13 plus amendment. Who did India consult?

Now do other Indians expect that the people from TN will sit and watch while India would take advantage of the situation? Or what is that the other Indians are expecting for the TN to do? Sit idle and twiddle their fingers? TN is using its right to influence the foreign policy of India in a democratic setup. Playing with tamilian sentiments for convenience is not an option. While billions of dollars are being thrown in two fronts(Pakistan and China border), throw more in the SL border or have the temerity to teach SL a lesson so as SL does not go towards China - afterall TN is providing billions in surplus revenue to the central government unlike many other states who suck up all the money due to mismanagement. It is a federal setup and TN will bay for its own piece of cake.

Earlier i thought these TN walas were Trying to Ruin our Relations with SL
Your Post have cleared the 'Fog of lies' around my mind
Thank you or as we Punjabi's like to say Paaji Kamaal Kar dita

 

[Indo-guy]

Earlier i thought these TN walas were Trying to Ruin our Relations with SL
Your Post have cleared the 'Fog of lies' around my mind
Thank you or as we Punjabi's like to say Paaji Kamaal Kar dita

Well its true that Sri Lanka tamil issue echoes( no pun intended ) strong chords with people of Tamilnadu . Regional parties are exploiting that to the hilt . These regional parties are not at all concerned about Tamils in Sri Lanka . They are whipping Anti Sri Lanka sentiments for purely political reasons . but in the process they have done greatest disservice to Tamils in Sri Lanka .

These regional parties have forced India to take repeated anti Sri Lanka stance. In the process India has lost its clout with Sri Lanka . If Sri Lanka riding on its resentment towards India manages to get read of 13'th amendment ...It will be great setback to Tamils in Sri Lanka .
and all regional parties in Tamilnadu besides Central government are to be blamed for that .

 

[faithfulguy]

India is a responsible country ....hence language of annexing.... is absolutely insulting both to India and Sri Lanka !

Every country has right to choose its destiny ....and way it wants to achieve !

If Sri Lanka thinks that friendship with China is in their ultimate interest they should and they would continue these relations ...

But Sri Lanka needs to introspect if China is using Sri Lanka as a hedge against India and if Sri Lanka is ok with it !


I personally believe if any relationship whether between individuals or nations if it is based on some needs ....it will last only as long as those needs are relevant ....
Relationships based on 'Needs' ....are finished when those needs are over !

Frankly speaking India should have cordial relations with all its neighboring countries ....including Pakistan , Sri Lanka and China !

Unfortunately relationships are mutual and not one sided job ....so both sides must have will for it !


Sri Lanka , just like any other country have every right to pursue its national interests without impinging on others ....

Naturally India too has right to defend its interests . India should therefore take appropriate steps to address these issue .

I am sure Sri Lankan leadership is wise enough to understand that they can't play into China's hands against India .... Given India's central role in Indian ocean ....India will always remain relevant and important in Indian ocean Region ...

Only way to counteract Chinese influence , for India is to make new beginning with Sri Lanka....which is in larger interests of all in the region .

Now you know why many people in this forum do not respect Indians here. In one thread and within 13 posts, there are at least a couple of people talking about annexing a sovereign country. Thank you for bring in a voice of reason by an Indian in here.

 

[Sashan]

Well its true that Sri Lanka tamil issue echoes( no pun intended ) strong chords with people of Tamilnadu . Regional parties are exploiting that to the hilt . These regional parties are not at all concerned about Tamils in Sri Lanka . They are whipping Anti Sri Lanka sentiments for purely political reasons . but in the process they have done greatest disservice to Tamils in Sri Lanka .

These regional parties have forced India to take repeated anti Sri Lanka stance. In the process India has lost its clout with Sri Lanka . If Sri Lanka riding on its resentment towards India manages to get read of 13'th amendment ...It will be great setback to Tamils in Sri Lanka .
and all regional parties in Tamilnadu besides Central government are to be blamed for that .

It is true that many of the tamil parties in TN exploit the sentiments to the hilt especially the b****d Karunanidhi who has the influence in the center to have a reasonable settlement wrt SL tamil issue. But lets not underestimate Rajapakse or the SL and expect them to implement 13th or 13 plus amendment if India does not interfere with SL. These are Sinhala Chauvinists fed on the Sinhala Nationalism sentiments. And 13 or 13 plus amendment is a brainchild of India - not of SL tamil people or SL government's - SL tamil movement long declared secession when it was a non-violent movement back in 1977 - India was the one which interjected itself into the SL tamil issue and brought in the 13th amendment concept.

 

[Indo-guy]

Now you know why many people in this forum do not respect Indians here. In one thread and within 13 posts, there are at least a couple of people talking about annexing a sovereign country. Thank you for bring in a voice of reason by an Indian in here.

Most Indians do not think of things such as annexing of any country ....Some fools over here are responsible to vitiate the cordial atmosphere . In fact I am at time feel surprised , how can some people can make such irresponsible statements .

Such comments must be condemned irrespective of from whom they come .

I would not support my countrymen blindly in such instance just because they happen to be my countrymen .

 

[anant_s]

There are no reasonably good relations for India with SL - SL was in the U.S camp during the cold war and so allowed Pakistani flights to be refuelled during the 1971 war. And besides that SL was planning or atleast there were rumors about S.L allowing U.S base in Trincomalee.


So lets see what was happening in parallel - SL tamil movement led by TULF though which was a non-violent movement due to the discrimination policies of SL since independence declared in 1977 and stood on the plank of secession and won the elections in the Tamil areas and riots followed which convinced some radicalized youth to take up arms but these were fringe elements.


Enter India after 1983 tamil riots to take advantage of the situation for its own interests and arms the radicalized youth to the core which are nothing but LTTE,EROS,ERPLF and other militant groups. And conduct Operation Poomalai to bring SL to its knees and sign the Rajiv-Jayawardene accord to implement 13th amendment and sends IPKF for enforcing that and turns into a fight between IPKF and LTTE(aided by SL government). With Rajiv death, India has hands off policy wrt SL but enter SL-LTTE war after Rajapakshe brothers promise 13 plus amendment and helps SL in destroying LTTE high sea warehouses and causing the defeat of LTTE and in the later stages of the war discriminative killings by both sides.


Now people in TN have tie up with SL tamilians for ages - The support for the SL tamil cause is high due to the underlying politics between tamils(people of TN and SL together) and Sinhalas going back 5th century where Sinhala history was rewritten by some Buddhist monks to reflect that Sinhalas are the chosen people to rule SL. And India has played with this sentiment bringing up 13th amendment and 13 plus amendment. Who did India consult?

Now do other Indians expect that the people from TN will sit and watch while India would take advantage of the situation? Or what is that the other Indians are expecting for the TN to do? Sit idle and twiddle their fingers? TN is using its right to influence the foreign policy of India in a democratic setup. Playing with tamilian sentiments for convenience is not an option. While billions of dollars are being thrown in two fronts(Pakistan and China border), throw more in the SL border or have the temerity to teach SL a lesson so as SL does not go towards China - afterall TN is providing billions in surplus revenue to the central government unlike many other states who suck up all the money due to mismanagement. It is a federal setup and TN will bay for its own piece of cake.

I've never supported the dumb idea of sending IPKF to SL, to me it was not just poking our nose into someone's domestic affairs and we knew what happened. IA lost some of it brave men and officers at a place where they had no business.
Second, in past few years we've seen enough flip flops on our policy towards our neighbors (SL included). Initially when SL govt went about in a systematic manner to rout LTTE, nobody said anything. It was a genocide and as India later voted against SL, as a proper policy and a bigger nation in the region, we should've intervened when hostilities were taking place.
In last few years, smaller countries in the region have understood the weakness in our foreign policies and have started to take advantage of the same. It really is a no-brainer that on many occassions China is more than willing to take place vacated by India.
I said above and am repeating the same, there clearly is a lack of any solid policy as far as South East Asia is concerned. I'm not against DMK or AIADMK raising the Tamil issue, but ultimately Foreign policy is New Delhi's prerogative. Why not take TN parties concerns into account and address them diplomatically with SL. But given the inability of current central govt. to interact with anyone, i doubt if that is even possible.