India’s Modi attempts to woo back Sri Lanka as China pushes ‘Belt and Road’ initiative
Indian Prime Minister’s visit comes as China prepares to host summit showcasing its ambitious drive to revive ancient Silk Road trade routes
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to Sri Lanka on Thursday on a charm offensive as New Delhi seeks to reassert its influence on the island amid signs of a Chinese comeback.
Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena came to power in January 2015 promising to loosen ties with China after a decade of hefty funding by Beijing under his predecessor.
When Modi visited the island shortly afterwards, he promised to “script a golden chapter in the history of India-Sri Lanka relations”.
Just two years later, analysts say Beijing’s influence is on the rise again as Colombo struggles to find alternative sources of foreign capital.
Modi clearly wants to keep Sri Lanka within India’s sphere of influence. His two-day visit comes as leaders of 28 nations gather in Beijing next week for a summit showcasing China’s own ambitious drive to revive ancient Silk Road trade routes and lead a new era of globalisation.