Sri Lanka, India to Explore Land Connectivity: Warns of Shrinking Space for Smaller Nations Amidst Growing Militarization

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced the commencement of a feasibility study for a land link between India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Indian Ocean Summit in Perth, Australia, President Wickremesinghe stated that the proposed land connectivity would leverage the strategic locations of the Sri Lankan ports of Colombo and Trincomalee, transforming them into regional hubs for trade.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the region's unique multipolarity and its resistance to domination by a single power. 

However, he cautioned against growing militarization and geopolitical maneuvering, and warned of the dangers of militarization and shrinking space for smaller nations caught between major powers.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe painted a complex picture of the region, emphasizing its historical resistance to single-power dominance while expressing concern about growing militarization and its impact on smaller nations.

President Wickremesinghe emphasized the historical resistance of the Indian Ocean to single-power dominance, citing the region's diverse cultural and political landscape.

He referenced the Bandung Conference of 1955, where newly independent Asian nations, including Sri Lanka, India, and Indonesia, pledged to oppose colonialism and big power rivalry, paving the way for the Non-Aligned Movement.

The President noted the absence of a singular geopolitical vision for the Indian Ocean, leading to various interpretations and tensions.

He expressed concern about growing militarization, with countries like India, the US, China, and Saudi Arabia expanding their naval presence, creating complex power dynamics.
This increasing rivalry shrinks the space for maneuverability for smaller nations, impacting political, economic, and security decisions.

President Wickremesinghe condemned recent attacks on commercial vessels by Yemeni rebels, highlighting the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Suez Canal, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden. He stressed the need to combat piracy and protect critical infrastructure like undersea cables.

The President proposed Sri Lanka as a platform for renewed discussions on freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean.

President Wickremesinghe announced a joint feasibility study with India on land connectivity between the two countries.

He envisioned Sri Lanka becoming a regional logistics hub, leveraging the Colombo and Trincomalee ports to benefit South India.