India: ‘Hands on’?

Nations are built by the imagination and the untiring enthusiastic efforts of generations. One generation transfers the fruits of its toil to another which then takes forward the mission. As the coming generation also has its dreams and aspirations for the nation’s future, it therefore adds something from its side to the national vision; which the next generation strives hard to achieve. This process goes on and the nation climbs steps of glory and gains higher strengthens.

(Abul Kalam and Rajan, 2002)

The current crisis in Sri Lanka is drawing increased Indian attention. The President of Sri Lanka, Leader of the Opposition and TNA Parliamentarians all in their turn visited New Delhi to brief India of the current situation, request favors and be informed of India’s stance on the situation. The ‘hands off’ policy that was adopted after the Rajiv Gandhi assassination seems have thawed significantly in light of the humanitarian crisis unraveling across the straits. The Indian influence in Sri Lanka will most likely take on a qualitatively different aspect in 2007 and most likely be tempered by its global and economic aspirations.

The current crisis in Sri Lanka is drawing increased Indian attention. The President of Sri Lanka, Leader of the Opposition and TNA Parliamentarians all in their turn visited New Delhi to brief India of the current situation, request favors and be informed of India’s stance on the situation. The ‘hands off’ policy that was adopted after the Rajiv Gandhi assassination seems have thawed significantly in light of the humanitarian crisis unraveling across the straits. The Indian influence in Sri Lanka will most likely take on a qualitatively different aspect in 2007 and most likely be tempered by its global and economic aspirations.

India is a regional super power which is aspiring global power status. As a contender waiting to enter the great power status India is cognizant of the fact that power -military capabilities and plenty -economic capabilities often go hand in hand. As such while India persistently maintains and builds on its nuclear arsenal it has also taken a quantum leap into the future with its neo-liberalized economic policies making India the fourth largest economy in 2000,in terms of purchasing power parity, (ppp) (qtd. in Nayar and Paul, 2004). India is no longer merely a regional power and has rebelled against the policy of regional containment.

In this context it is impertinent to re-evaluate the role of India in the Sri Lankan Conflict and Peace Process. It is apparent that India will assume regional roles that will complement its future aspirations and if India is to play a direct role as a facilitator in the Sri Lankan conflict and Peace Process, a determining factor will be the prestige and global recognition that it gains from such a role. It is ostensible that India will not take on any roles that could jeopardize its future aspirations. India’s economic development also plays a critical role in shaping its foreign policies towards its Asian neighbors. It seems that Indian foreign policies are increasingly determined by its economic policies and less so by regional security concerns. The increased global aspirations of India and its focus on economic ‘plenty’ essentially means that India would try to maintain an economic hegemony within the region, and its relations with the South Asian countries will be tinged by this perspective.