Sri Lanka to have ‘India first’ approach for security policy, says new Foreign Secy

Amid changing geopolitical situations with US and China becoming two major factions and China's aggressive and expansionist approach towards neighbouring countries including India, Sri Lanka's strategic security policy will have an “India first” approach.

Jayanath Colomb, island nation's new foreign secretary from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's cabinet said in two of his interviews that president has me it clear that even though Sri Lanka is open to dealing with or major countries for ecomic development, it will always be a friend of India when it comes to strategic security.

Colomb, a retired miral who commanded Sri Lanka’s navy during 2012-14 is nation's first-ever foreign secretary from a military background to be appointed to he Foreign Ministry. Colomb, who is said to be a close aide of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was appointed by president on August 14 to he foreign ministry.

RE | Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Vows To Abolish 19th Amendment

RE | EAM S Jaishankar Congratulates Sri Lankan Foreign Minister On His Reappointment

'We can’t afford to be a strategic security threat for India'

“Very categorically, president has stated that we have a strategic security-wise ‘India first’ policy because we cant be, we should t be, we can’t afford to be a strategic security threat for India, period,” Colomb said in an interview to a Sri Lankan news channel named Derana 24.

“Even to India...very firmly, president has said, you are my first priority in so far as security is concerned but I have to deal with or players for my ecomic prosperity.”

“China is second-largest ecomy and India is considered sixth-largest. In 2018 India was world’s fastest-growing ecomy. That means we are between two ecomic giants”, he said.

“Sri Lanka cant afford any particular country to use it as a staging area to do anything against ar country, especially to India,” he said.

Speaking of Hambantota port which lies in south of island nation and is controlled by Chinese company, Colomb said it was offered to India first but India showed interest after which port went under Chinese control. 

At present, 85% stake of port is with China Merchant Holding Company, however, it is limited to commercial activities and t for military purposes.

“w in that deal, roughly...about 85% of that project’s stakes are for China Merchant Port Holding and only 15% for Sri Lanka. We will do everything so that one can use our country against ar country but n giving total control for a long period, of majority 85% is a very high stake,” he told news channel.

He asserted that Sri Lankan government will t hand over total control of strategic national assets to a foreign power following experience with Hambantota port, which was given to China Merchant Port Holding for 99 years.

Colomb's assertion in favour of India holds prominence as port's control by Chinese was considered as a major hiccup for India due to port's access to Indian ocean and tre routes in it going to Chinese control.

Colomb told Daily Mirror that China understands Sri Lanka’s position and “is pushing for commercial things”. He ded, “China also understands it isn’t ethical to push Sri Lanka beyond a certain point that is worrisome to India.”

In 2015, India was apprehensive of Sri Lanka's leaning towards China. India along with Japan and US h criticised move of giving away control of port to Chinese firm. “We actually me India jittery during period between 2015 and 2019. But India is comfortable with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,” he said.

He asserted that going forward Sri Lanka will always retain 51% stake in any or project with foreign entities that involve national assets.

RE | Sri Lanka's Ex-president Maithripala Sirisena Summoned By Easter Attack Probe Panel

RE | Rajapaksa Family Dominates Sri Lanka's New Cabinet