INTERNATIONAL : India’s Strategic Interest in Sri Lanka
· China wants to build a military base in Sri Lanka and India wants to avoid it.
· India is funding a number of infrastructure and energy projects in Sri Lanka. The projects are being delayed by President Sirisena. India wants the timely completion of these projects.
· The political turmoil by Rajapaksa is alleged to supported by China. India wants to avoid such turmoil in its neighbourhood as present government in Sri Lanka is a good check on Chinese interest in Sri Lanka.
· Earlier, Rajapaksa, when he was in power as the President, had allowed Chinese submarines into the island nation despite India’s strong objections.
· PM Wickremasinghe allowed buyback of Hambantota Port by the Chinese, he had made it clear that his country would not host any Chinese military installations or submarines.
· India also wants to safeguard minority Tamil interests in Sri Lanka as Tamil ethnicity has big presence in India.
· Indian invest in Sri Lanka would also suffer due to fall in economy and stocks in Sri Lanka due to political turmoil.
· The President of Sri Lanka is in the favour of Rajapaksa that factor is too not in favour of India . India would also likely to counter his influence through constitutional means.
· The 19th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution, limites the President to two terms and stripped the President of the power to dismiss the Prime Minister. India wants the proper execution of 19th amendment.
· Sri Lanka is very important for the access to Indian Ocean that is directly relted to India’s Interest.
· Under President Sirisena Sri Lanka is buying military transport airplanes from China which is not in India’s interest.