Aim: To comprehend the after effects of China coming closer towards Siri Lanka on India

China's growing influence and closer ties with Sri Lanka have raised concerns and generated

discussions about the potential implications for India. As neighboring countries, India and Sri

Lanka share historical, cultural, and economic ties. However, China's deepening engagement

with Sri Lanka, particularly through infrastructure development and strategic partnerships, has

led to a reevaluation of regional power dynamics. This discussion aims to analyze and

comprehend the aftereffects of China coming closer to Sri Lanka on India.

Economic Implications

China's increasing proximity to Sri Lanka has significant economic implications for India. One

of the key concerns is the potential impact on India's trade and investment in Sri Lanka.

Historically, India has been one of Sri Lanka's largest trading partners and a major source of

foreign direct investment. However, China's rising presence has the potential to alter the

economic landscape in the region (Lim and Mukherjee, 2019). China's investments in Sri Lankan

infrastructure projects, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative, have been substantial.

This includes the development of ports, highways, and power plants. While these projects aim to

boost Sri Lanka's economy and connectivity, there are concerns about the debt burden Sri Lanka

may face as a result. If Sri Lanka struggles to repay its debts to China, it could create a situation

where China exercises greater economic influence over the country, potentially at the expense of

Indian businesses (Wignaraja et al., 2020, Tripathi et al., 2022). Moreover, China's involvement

in Sri Lanka's ports, such as the Hambantota port, raises questions about potential competition

with Indian ports. As a major maritime power, India has strategic interests in maintaining control

over its sea routes. If Chinese-backed ports in Sri Lanka gain prominence and attract more
shipping traffic, it could impact the economic viability of Indian ports and disrupt India's trade

routes (My Hai Loc, 2023).

Another economic implication lies in the potential for Sri Lanka to become a hub for Chinese

goods in the region. Chinese investments and infrastructure development could position Sri

Lanka as a transshipment hub, attracting Chinese manufacturers to utilize Sri Lanka's ports for

trade with other countries in South Asia and beyond. This could pose a challenge to India's own

aspirations of becoming a manufacturing and export hub (Wignaraja et al., 2020). To mitigate

these economic implications, India has been actively engaging with Sri Lanka, offering its own

investment and assistance in infrastructure development projects. Additionally, India has

emphasized the importance of transparent and sustainable financing mechanisms to avoid Sri

Lanka falling into a debt trap. Strengthening economic ties with Sri Lanka and promoting

bilateral trade can help India maintain its economic influence in the region while mitigating any

negative impact from China's growing proximity to Sri Lanka (Paul, 2019).

Strategic Implications

The increasing proximity of China to Sri Lanka carries significant strategic implications for

India. Sri Lanka's strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a vital piece in the regional

power dynamics, and any deepening Chinese involvement raises concerns for India's security

and influence in the area (Mishra, 2021). One of the primary strategic concerns for India is the

Chinese-built port in Hambantota. While Sri Lanka has maintained that the port is purely

commercial, there are apprehensions that it could be used for military purposes by China,

potentially posing a security threat to India's southern coast. The proximity of Chinese military

vessels and submarines in the Indian Ocean raises alarm bells for Indian defense planners, as it

could potentially enable China to project power and exert influence in the region, affecting
India's strategic advantage (Karim, 2015). China's engagement with Sri Lanka in the maritime

domain is seen as part of its broader "String of Pearls" strategy, aimed at establishing a network

of naval bases and strategic points of access across the Indian Ocean. This strategic encirclement

could limit India's maritime capabilities and pose challenges to its freedom of navigation. India,

therefore, closely monitors China's activities in Sri Lanka and endeavors to maintain a strong

naval presence and partnerships with other countries in the region to counterbalance China's

growing influence (Lobo, 2021).

Furthermore, China's support for Sri Lanka in international forums, including the United

Nations, adds another dimension to the strategic implications. China's backing of Sri Lanka's

position on various issues can impact India's diplomatic maneuvering and influence in

international decision-making processes. It prompts India to further strengthen its own

diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka and engage in dialogue to ensure that their strategic interests align

(Khurana, 2008). In response to these strategic implications, India has been proactive in

deepening defense cooperation with Sri Lanka. This includes joint naval exercises, intelligence

sharing, and capacity building to enhance Sri Lanka's maritime security capabilities. India has

also sought to bolster its regional partnerships, such as with the Maldives and Seychelles, to

counterbalance China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean (Loc, 2023). Overall, the strategic

implications of China's increasing proximity to Sri Lanka require India to carefully assess and

recalibrate its own strategic policies and partnerships. It is crucial for India to maintain its own

strategic advantage in the region and safeguard its security interests through proactive

engagement, diplomatic maneuvers, and strengthening defense ties with Sri Lanka and other

like-minded countries.

Geopolitical Competition
China's growing proximity to Sri Lanka has intensified the geopolitical competition between

China and India. Historically, Sri Lanka has been within India's sphere of influence due to

geographical proximity, cultural ties, and economic interactions. However, China's increasing

engagement in Sri Lanka has challenged India's dominant position in the region, leading to

heightened competition (Karl, 2018). China's strategic investments in Sri Lanka, particularly in

infrastructure development and port projects, have allowed it to expand its influence and

presence in the Indian Ocean. This has raised concerns for India as it perceives this as a potential

encroachment on its traditional sphere of influence. The geopolitical competition between China

and India in Sri Lanka is not only about asserting dominance but also about safeguarding

strategic interests, maintaining regional stability, and securing access to key trade routes (Khan

and Khalid, 2018). India, in response, has adopted a multi-pronged approach to counterbalance

China's influence in Sri Lanka. This includes strengthening bilateral relations with Sri Lanka

through increased diplomatic engagement, offering economic assistance, and promoting cultural

exchanges. India has also been working towards enhancing regional cooperation and partnerships

with other countries in the Indian Ocean region to counter China's expanding footprint

(Yoshimatsu, 2022). The competition between China and India in Sri Lanka extends beyond

economic and strategic spheres. It also encompasses diplomatic influence, regional alliances, and

soft power projection. Both countries vie for Sri Lanka's support in international forums, seeking

to gain its backing on various issues. The diplomatic competition often plays out on the global

stage, with China and India leveraging their respective strengths to sway Sri Lanka's position and

shape regional narratives (Palit, 2017).

Regional Stability and India's Neighborhood Policy

The increasing closeness between China and Sri Lanka has implications for regional stability and

India's neighborhood policy. India has long pursued a "neighborhood first" approach,

emphasizing peaceful and stable relations with its neighboring countries. The deepening Chinese

presence in Sri Lanka raises concerns about potential disruptions to the delicate balance in the

region (Chaturvedy, 2019).

India aims to maintain a peaceful neighborhood environment that supports economic

cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and regional security. The proximity of China to Sri

Lanka necessitates a careful assessment of the impact on regional stability. India strives to ensure

that any developments between China and Sri Lanka do not lead to policies or actions that

undermine its own interests or disturb the peace and stability of the region (Hu, 2017).

Summary

China's increasing proximity to Sri Lanka has multifaceted implications for India, encompassing

economic, strategic, geopolitical, and regional stability aspects. The economic implications

revolve around concerns regarding trade and investment, as China's extensive infrastructure

projects under the Belt and Road Initiative could potentially alter the economic landscape in the

region. India closely monitors China's economic activities in Sri Lanka to safeguard its own

economic interests. Strategically, China's involvement in Sri Lanka, particularly through the

development of the Hambantota port, raises security concerns for India. The port's proximity to

India's southern coast and the potential for military use by China pose challenges to India's

strategic dominance and maritime security. India aims to counterbalance China's growing

influence through deepening defense cooperation and strengthening regional partnerships.

Geopolitical competition between China and India in Sri Lanka has intensified due to China's

expansion of influence in the region. India, historically considering Sri Lanka within its sphere of

influence, perceives China's engagement as an encroachment on its traditional dominance. The

competition extends to diplomatic influence, regional alliances, and soft power projection, as

both countries seek Sri Lanka's support in international forums. Regional stability and India's

neighborhood policy are paramount considerations. India's "neighborhood first" approach

emphasizes maintaining peaceful and stable relations with neighboring countries. China's

increasing proximity to Sri Lanka raises concerns about disrupting the delicate balance in the

region. India actively engages with Sri Lanka, focusing on diplomacy, economic cooperation,

and cultural exchanges, to ensure regional stability and counterbalance China's influence.

In conclusion, China's closer ties with Sri Lanka have prompted India to reevaluate its regional

strategy. The economic implications, strategic concerns, geopolitical competition, and the pursuit

of regional stability have shaped India's approach. India seeks to safeguard its economic

interests, counterbalance China's influence strategically, compete diplomatically, and uphold

regional stability through proactive engagement and partnerships. Maintaining a peaceful

neighborhood environment and promoting connectivity are essential elements of India's response

to the evolving power dynamics resulting from China's growing proximity to Sri Lanka.