Learning the lessons from India
The historical and cultural ties that bind us with our closest neighbour India have always incurred the wrath of political manoeuverings at regular intervals throughout recorded history. Tragic as it may seem the many cultural affinities we share with the neighbouring giant have failed good relations between us at every crucial turn. Our recent history especially since the late 1970’s is full of instances where uncalled for interferences have blocked our path to development. It is not a secret that our very open economic policies that predicted a huge financial leap in the late seventies itself; was denied to the country due to the foreign policy adopted by India. Several such policies especially during the Indira Gandhi regime have stood testimony to the destability Sri Lanka experienced of significant economic and social proportions.
Fed, accommodated and trained on Indian soil, the LTTE could never have grown to the size and dimension it did if not for the open support it received under that regime. But as an ironic shift of fate led to the assassination of her own son, the late Premier Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE, India looked like it had learnt a sad but necessary lesson in how not to deal with her neighbours. The support the present regime extended to the Rajapaksa government in ending a thirty-year-old scourge that destroyed the country was therefore seen as India paying its dues and finally changing the damaging foreign policy thus far adopted towards this neighbour.
Certainly nothing comes free; and certainly not support in the form of the central Delhi government it would seem! India operates in interesting ways. Today India is no longer the bully that throws her weight about: nor does she any longer threatens intervention. Hers are today, the finest lessons on how to exert pressure without seeing to do so, and the diplomacy that strengthens her might without denial. Lessons that are Sri Lanka’s to learn if she so desires. Lessons, that we must perfect if we are to enjoy the benefits of a cordial and fulfilling relationship with a neighbour that has the world at her feet.
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