India expects Lanka & Maldives to keep its security concerns in mind

◗ Recent developments in some of India’s neighbouring countries have sparked concern among foreign policy observers

Following China’s perceived push in South Asia and in response to questions on recent worrisome developments in India’s neighbourhood, India on Thursday said it hoped Sri Lanka and the Maldives would keep in mind Indian security concerns and sensitivities, even as New Delhi — in the wake of the Nepalese poll verdict — said ties with Nepal were “time- tested and unique” and that it “looked forward to working with the next government”.

Recent developments in some of India’s neighbouring countries have sparked concern among foreign policy observers.

These include the massive Left victory in Nepal and the prospect of Nepalese Communist leader K. P. Oli — seen as pro- China and an antiIndia hawk — taking over as the next prime minister of Nepal. According to reports, Sri Lanka has handed over its Hambantota port to China on a 99 year- lease while the Maldives Government inked a Free Trade Agreement with China after pushing it through the Maldives Majlis ( Parliament).

Observers point out that in developments in all three countries, China has once again shown its dominance and ability to influence events which could pose a severe strategic setback to New Delhi.

While India is strengthening its ties with the south- east Asian Asean countries in China’s neighbourhood while strengthening ties with the US, Japan and Australia, Beijing seems to be hitting back through these three recent successes in South Asia.

On Nepal, the MEA said it welcomed the elections held and “looked forward to working with the next government”, while pointing to the “unique timetested” ties with Kathmandu. New Delhi appears keen to downplay the impact of a scenario wherein Mr Oli once again becomes the Prime Minister of Nepal.

“India welcomes the conduct of Parliamentary elections and first ever Provincial elections in Nepal. We congratulate the Government and the people of Nepal. India has age old, unique, time tested ties of friendship with Nepal. We look forward to working with the next democratically elected government in Nepal to advance our close and multifaceted partnership across all sectors and to support Nepal in its pursuit of peace, stability, economic prosperity and all round development,” the MEA said.