A day after massive violence and protests erupted in Sri Lanka following the resignation of the country’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa amid an unprecedented economic crisis, India on Tuesday underlined the “Neighbourhood First” policy, saying that it is fully supportive of its neighbour’s democracy, stability and economic recovery. India’s reaction came even as Sri Lanka’s ministry of defence on Tuesday ordered the army, air force and navy personnel to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others. The order came after embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa urged people to stop “violence and acts of revenge” against fellow citizens and vowed to address the political and economic crisis facing the nation. The death toll rose to eight and nearly 250 people have been injured in the violence in Colombo and other parts of the country.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Tuesday said, “In keeping with our Neighbourhood First Policy, India has extended this year alone support worth over US$ 3.5 billion to the people of Sri Lanka for helping them overcome their current difficulties. In addition, the people of India have provided assistance for mitigating the shortages of essential items such as food, medicine etc.”
Sources told The Daily Guardian that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely watching the developments in Sri Lanka, and guiding the MEA on what diplomatic course to be taken amid the volatile situation. Sources say that Sri Lanka may have an interim government in place to try to restore some sort of order in the country. “MEA spokesperson underlining the Neighbourhood First policy is reaffirmation of what PM Modi has been pointing out in his interactions with the leaders of the neighbouring countries in the past,” sources added. Just a couple of months ago, PM Modi had conveyed to the visiting Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa that India would always stand with the island nation as it occupies a central role in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. “Underlining the centrality of Sri Lanka, PM Modi had in fact signaled the importance of Colombo in India’s foreign policy regarding the neighbourhood,” said an official. So, in the reaction, the MEA made it a point to reiterate the neighbourhood first policy while supporting democracy, stability and economic recovery in Sri Lanka.
Acting as a first responder, India has been giving financial assistance to tide the island nation over the economic crisis in what was seen as a message that New Delhi is not only making rhetoric on “Neighbourhood First” but also going beyond it and doing something on the ground. The MEA statement also said: “India will always be guided by the best interests of the people of Sri Lanka expressed through democratic processes.” The message in this statement is that India wants to be seen as helping and caring about the people of Sri Lanka. India does not want to be seen as helping the government in the island nation in any way. With this in view, New Delhi has been cautious in making any comment so as not to be interpreted as its interference in the political affairs of the neighbouring country or trying to support the present government there. “China is already keeping a close watch over India’s steps aimed at helping Sri Lanka amid the ongoing economic crisis. Beijing has already accused New Delhi of meddling in internal affairs of the island nation,” officials said. “However, the global community knows that China’s debt trap has also been behind the massive economic crisis that has gripped Sri Lanka,” officials added. India’s focus is on providing relief and help to the people of Sri Lanka and humanitarian assistance as per the need, said a diplomat privy to interactions at South Block. The MEA spokesperson further said, “As a close neighbour of Sri Lanka, with historical ties, India is fully supportive of its democracy, stability and economic recovery.” India has been watching the situation closely, without making any comments on what was dubbed as an internal matter of the neighbouring nation. Meanwhile, the Colombo-based Indian high commission on Tuesday dismissed “rumours circulating on social media” that “certain Sri Lankan politicians and their kin” have escaped to India. “High Commission has recently noticed rumours circulating in sections of media & social media that certain political persons and their families have fled to India,” it said in a tweet. “These are fake and blatantly false reports, devoid of any truth or substance,” the tweet said.
(WITH AGENCY INPUTS)