Amid the growing threat to nations by China in South and South East Asia, Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Jayanath Colombage in an interview with a Sri Lankan television has said that Sri Lanka will be pursuing an ‘India First’ policy on strategic and security matters.
On Monday (25 August), Colombage said, “President (Gotabaya Rajapaksa) has stated that in terms of strategic security, we will follow an ‘India first’ policy”.
This marks a clear realignment for the Rajpaksa government which is perceived as being closer to China.
“We cannot afford to be a strategic security threat to India and we don’t have to be. We need to benefit from India. The President has clearly said that you are our first priority as far as security is concerned but I have to deal with other players for economic prosperity,” Colombage added.
Watch | In a diplomatic realignment, Sri Lanka announces 'India First' security policy
Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary says it cannot afford to be a strategic security threat to India
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Colombage in his interview had said that Sri Lanka will always pursue a ‘’neutral’ foreign policy, but it will protect India’s strategic interests no matter what. What is even more interesting is when he accepted that the leasing away of
the Hambantota port to China for a period of 99 years was a ‘mistake’. He said “it is now best to correct the mistake we have done.. yes, it can happen…. But then over a long period of time giving that much control may not be the best option. This government will be here maybe next 5 years or 10 years, we don’t know. But then things will continue. 99 years is a very long time”, Colombage said.