Why CHINA Not India?- Economic and Geo-political commentary
Posted on April 18th, 2017

By Abdul Samad Courtesy Ceylon Today

This article is with reference to Mr. Dayan Jayatilleka’s write-up published on colombotelegraph.com dated 7 April 2017. It was titled, The Avurudu sale of Sri Lanka-Who will stop it? The writer makes a very valid point arguing the case for Sri Lanka to be with China as opposed to India. He also criticizes the Prime Minister’s vision of the ETCA with India and rightly so. It simply does not make any economic and geo-political sense. This article is an attempt to compare both India and China in economic/geo-political terms, keeping Sri Lanka in the context.

The Economic Context

It is a well established fact that China enjoys far greater economic supremacy as opposed to India. The table provides some information on key economic indicators comparing the two countries.
It is clear beyond any doubt that China reigns above India in all major economic indicators. The Chinese economy is at least three times bigger. The biggest advantage China has is its workforce, which is double the size of India. It is also worth mentioning, China is the world’s largest exporter valued at 2.21 trillion as of 2013 versus India’s 313 billion. China is also the second largest provider of foreign direct investment in the world, providing $115 billion in the year of 2016.
Henceforth, it makes perfect economic sense for Sri Lanka to pursue its diplomatic efforts more inclined towards China. During the post-war era China has made unprecedented investment in infrastructure development of Sri Lanka. More importantly, China has shown a more result oriented approach to investment. India on the other hand has decreased its financial assistance to Sri Lanka as revealed by their Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his last budget.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s inclination to the ETCA does not make any sense for Sri Lankans as India’s commitment to the development of Sri Lanka is questionable. I conclude, China has a far more important and greater role to play if Sri Lanka is to realize its economic potential.

Geo-Politics of India and China

It is important that we realize the political landscape of both the countries. China largely operates in a Communist structure. Single party rule, that ensures the core decision- making rests with the State and demands absolute control.
Henceforth, she offers greater political stability. Foreign policy and decision-making is very stable and does not carry the risk of changing with government change. China also view’s Sri Lanka as a strategic location in South Asia. Chinese presence in Sri Lanka effectively acts as shield against India. Sri Lanka does not have to be viewed as a State that’s intimidated by its large neighbour when closely associated with an economic superpower. It is worth noting, China’s trade decisions have little or no bearing on Sri Lankan sovereignty. It is one of the few countries that always supported Sri Lanka at the United Nations,

Co-sponsoring of UNHRC
resolution

Unity government’s decision to co-sponsor the 30/1 resolution was a diplomatic insult to China and diplomatic relations. It is a foreign policy debacle that has damaged our credibility with one of the largest economic super powers in the world.
The timing of all this is even more crucial at a time when FDIs in Sri Lanka are next to nothing. The government has left absolutely no room to humiliate and antagonize Sri Lanka’s largest FDI provider in recent times.

China’s close diplomatic ties with Pakistan, another country that consistently supported Sri Lanka at UN, makes its geo-political presence in South Asia all the more important. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always enjoyed cohesive diplomatic ties. Combining with China and Pakistan Sri Lanka is perfectly placed to challenge India both on the economic and political fronts.
India operates as the world’s largest democracy. It is this very political and governance ideology that has been the cause for India’s failure to match China’s economic and political domination. A primitive society, that’s governed by ancient principles and diverse ethnic political participants. Henceforth, offers little political stability and even lesser stable foreign policy. Policy is subject to the government in power.

The information furnished in the above table also reflects India has much to do on its own domestic front. More than 400 million people still live in poverty and are deprived of basic needs. Does it make sense for Sri Lankan politicians to expect assistance from India?

India is also home to diverse ethnicities that are powerful States domestically. Tamil Nadu, one such State with a majority of Tamils has close links to the Sri Lankan Tamil population. It has also openly supported the brutal LTTE that killed so many innocent civilians in Sri Lanka. In this context, does it make sense for the Sri Lankan Government to pursue meaningful diplomatic ties with India?

Diplomatic efforts should be channelled to bear meaningful results. The unity government’s allegiance to India and the West has borne nothing so far. In fact, it is plunging Sri Lanka into a deeper conflict brewing situation in the name of ethnic reconciliation and war crime investigations.

Conclusion

It is worth mentioning that India views Sri Lanka’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals as a direct threat to its economic presence in the SAARC region. It is a much easier task to develop a country the size of Sri Lanka compared to India. The post-war economic expansion was one reason for India to sponsor the unity government to power.

It was very clear two traditional political rivals cannot synchronize in unison to make decisions that are in the best interest of the country. The political instability also allows India to keep Sri Lanka in its shadows which has been the case historically.
President Maithripala Sirisena’s and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s allegiance to India is more a political favour than a strategic initiative in the best interest of Sri Lanka. India is directly using the unity government to undermine the Chinese presence in Sri Lanka. In doing so, it is holding the Sri Lankan economy as bait.

Millions worth infrastructure projects are being kept on hold which can be long-term competitive advantages. For what? Only to satisfy India and the West! I want my readers to be clear such policy debacles do not affect the politicians. They continue to live extravagant lives obeying instructions of their masters.

Sri Lankan citizens at large are deprived of a better country, a better life, a world class economy and infrastructure. By aligning Sri Lanka’s interests to negative forces the country is being pushed into deeper economic problems. India has achieved its ambitions by halting a rapidly expanding Sri Lankan economy and vibrant socially integrated society.
China, a powerful State that initiated massive development for Sri Lanka has been largely neglected and isolated to the detriment of the Sri Lankan people.

Samsaleem01@hotmail.com

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