Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane to conclude 4-day Sri Lanka visit

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane will conclude his 4-day visits to Sri Lanka today.

During his trip, Naravane held several talks with top military leaders of Sri Lanka and was spoke to President Gotabya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa via phone. Naravane’s 4-day trip followed the Indian Foreign Secretary’s travel to the island nation and aimed to expand mutual and strategic defense cooperation between the two countries.

However, India and Sri Lanka hold different approaches to their bilateral relationship. India’s approach looks to counter China’s growing influence in South Asia, and particularly in Sri Lanka. Escalating China-Taiwan tensions and China’s preoccupation with the US-led military partnership in East Asia allow more room for India to maneuver in South Asia.

From Sri Lanka’s perspective, economic reliance on China helps the island nation tackle shortage of foreign currency and mounting foreign debt repayments. Still, the island nation has depended on India to appease its domestic nationalists.

Expect more exchanges of best military practices and technology development between India and Sri Lanka. In the long-term, Sri Lanka will less likely join with India to counter China’s influence but will assure India of a stable relationship between the two countries.