That Sri Lankan foreign minister, Mangala Samaraweera, chose India as his first port of call, just five days after taking office, signals the importance the new regime in Colombo appears to attach to improving ties with New Delhi. Relations between the two neighbours had been lukewarm during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency, which was perceived to be anti-Tamil and pro-China. The Maithripala Sirisena dispensation appears set for a course correction on both fronts.
It is early days yet, but the Sirisena administration has indicated a reconciliatory approach towards the Tamil minority. One of the first decisions of the new government was to appoint a former diplomat as governor of the northern province in place of Rajapaksa’s appointee, a retired military officer. Sirisena has also entrusted the reconciliation portfolio with Ranil Wickremasinghe, who had preferred talks to war to settle the Tamil issue when he was prime minister. These are welcome gestures that could help rebuild trust between Tamils and the Lankan state.
Progress on the Tamil issue will help forge stable and strong relations between India and Sri Lanka, given the Tamil cause’s resonance in Tamil Nadu and consequent influence on New Delhi’s Lanka policy. The Rajapaksa government sought to counter New Delhi’s reluctance to support its war efforts by promoting closer economic ties with Beijing. Indications are, some of the Chinese projects could now be open for review, ostensibly for economic reasons. India should explore the emerging opportunity.
