“I do not deny the fact that China and Pakistan have been supporting Srilanka economically, militarily for many years: Indeed, China and Pakistan have been providing weapons, military training and guidance to Srilanka to successfully continue its military campaign against LTTE: These economical and military support, contribution and corporation are great and timely needed. Srilanka should much grateful to these two countries: These are some of the objectives of SAARC.”
by Dr Rifai
(July 28, London, Sri Lanka Guardain) I will attempt to correlate the role& contribution of successive Indian governments to the peace & stability in Srilanka in the current context of prevailing ethnic tension. It is very significant to understand and appreciate Indian government’s help and support to maintain peace and stability in Srilanka.
It is in the national interest of Srilanka and India to have good harmonious relationship. While Srilanka needs Indain’s help to secure peace and stability in the North & East of Srilanka, India needs Srilanka for its Strategic purpose: it was reported that India was initially supporting Tamil insurgency during the premiership of Indra Ghandi. However, Indian government attitude and foreign policy towards Srilanka dramatically changed during the Rajiv Ghandi’s premiership and Indian government even singed a peace accord with Srilanka during the presidency of late J.R Jayewardene: Why was that sudden paradigm of change in India’s foreign policy and indeed, in its attitudes towards Srilanka and Tamil issues at large? I will try to provide some insight into this dramatic change of diplomacy.
When I was at SOAS, University of London in early 1990’s I had a Tamil friend who was reading for an economic degree at the same college. One day when we were chatting about Srilankan situation, he told me: look Rifai. What a stupidity of LTTE leadership to fight with Indian Peace Keeping force and How could LTTE achieve any thing without India’s contribution and involvement? He asked me. How could LTTE fight mightiest Indian Army which is the fourth largest army in the world? and how long they will fight with them? I could not gauge the seriousness of his contention in those days. Simply, because, those days LTTE was vigorously fighting IPKF and moral was so high within LTTE political & military leadership and within its caders. However, only now I realise the real meaning of his prediction with unfolding events more recently. I, think this was indeed, the beginning of LTTE’s downfall: any student of politics will support such contention. India even called upon Probaharan to lay down arms in return they assured him that they will endorse some sort of the power sharing mechanism: Unfortunately, LTTE underestimated the geo-political and militarily influence and hegemony of India in the subcontinent: Was LTTE political leadership not politically shrewd enough to understand this elementary politics as my Tamil friend rightly remarked on that day? I do not think so. Of course, they were politically shrewd with advice of some experts in politics: However, for unknown reasons LTTE military leadership decided to encounter India militarily and in deed, they did kill more than 1, 500 IPKF: Furthermore, It is alleged they dared to kill Indian premier Rajiv Ghandi to achieve their goal not realising that this was a political suicide for them: If such allegation is true killing the Premier Rajiv Ghandi was one of biggest mistakes of LTTE. It could be described as a historical mistake of LTTE.
Since then, India adamantly changed its attitude towards LTTE and Tamil issues in general: It is often argued that India could have solved Srilankan ethnic problem years ago if they really wanted: When IPKF was in Srilanka they could have successfully defeated LTTE with their military power if they wanted to do so. But, they withdrew prematurely without completing the task they were sent for: Why did they do that? Did the IPKF military operation in Srilanka cost them dearly? Or was the Indian government under pressure from the International community and the Srilankan government to withdraw prematurely: I do not think that it was dearer for a strong Indain economy to maintain such war efforts in Srilanka and India was not under any international pressure to withdraw: It may have been little bit concerned about the late president R.Premadasa’s collaboration with LTTE. The late President has been alarmed with Indian government’s motivation to involve in the internal matter of Srilanka: He claimed that such military involvement infringes territorial integrity of Srilanka: Yet, IPKF could have completed their military operation with success. But they did not complete their operations for many ambiguous reasons: One possible reason may be that that India wanted to leave it to Srilanka to sort out its own internal problem. Since IPKF left Srilanka until now India has been craftily remained silent on the internal problems of Srilanka: . Of course it has been calling for some sort of devolution of power for the North & East province within territorial integrity of Srilanka. It has been calling to find a political solution through political negotiation not through military means. The Indian government has been dealing with Srilanka’s internal problems with precaution often with shrewd diplomacy and political maturity: May be the Indian government does not want to support Tamil separatism for obvious reasons: Given the geographical, cultural and ethnic nature of North and Tamil Nadu, It could pave the way for Tamil Nadu to create their own separatism in a long run. Even it could destabilise other part of India: It could be to maintain its economic, political and strategic interest in the subcontinent: Compared to 3 Million Tamil people of North & East, maintaining good relationship with 20 Million Srilankan people more beneficial in many ways:
This week, Srilanka is hosting SAARC conference in Colombo and for obvious safety and security reasons India brings its own security personals to protect its delegates. It is reported this is done in collaboration with Srilankan defence ministry : Indian special forces with fighter flights, helicopters and even with Naval destroyers provide security: This security arrangement has been a concern for some political circles in Srilanka: The security arrangement can be interpreted in many ways: It could be to protect Indian personal from any possible attack from LTTE as it has acquired air attack capabilities or it could be to show off its military might in the Subcontinent. Specially, when Srilanka maintains a close diplomatic relationship with India and Pakistan. Anyway, it would be politically naïve statement to say that such security arrangement infringe on the territorial sovereignty of Srilanka as contend by anti- Indain elements in Srilanka.
It may be that China and Pakistan help Srilanka in its war efforts with LTTE. But, I do not think we could sideline India in anyway. As we know that this insurgency was partly created by India. INDIA initially trained core Tamil Tigers and when Tigers opposed what India dictates to them: this relationship between India and LTTE broke down. I think that India plays a vital role in Srilanka issues and It could help us or it could create more problems for us. We should not undermine India as late President Premadasa did. It would be grave mistake if we do so. Whether we like it or not India maintains substantial power in our subcontinent. We should play diplomatic card when we deal with India. We should not make it too angry and we have to treat it as one of our big brothers who could help us in time of danger and urgency We should treat it as we treat our elderly brother in our family: In our family hierarchical order the elder brother has got some authority, and influence in the internal matters of the family: In the way, We have to treat India as one of our big brothers: So that we could seek help, advice, guidance whenever we need and we have to respect it as we respect our elder brother: I think that When Jaffan was encircled by LTTE, the late president Chanthrikka. Kumarathunga was about to ask India government to rescue our forces: Although, such request was not materialised with timely advise of our top Army leadership at that time, Srilanka did not have any other option except seeking help from India: Moreover, India is our next door neighbour, we have to treat it as we do treat our neighbours: Sometimes, the neighbours do not get on well. But, It is not a case always. however, We can not deny the fact that the neighbours the one who could come first to help at any emergency situation. India is our neighbour: In time of need and urgency, we can not expect helping hand on time from our brothers who live far way from us: Yes, they will help us but it will take long time to come through. However. Our closest neighbour could come on time at the time of urgency: So far, Srilankan politicians have been treating India with respect as a big elderly brother and indeed, as our closest neighbour. This mutual diplomatic understanding between the big brother( India) and the small brother (Srilanka) has been good and harmonious for both parties: Even when Norway, Japan, Parkistan,China and other countries involved in Srilanka to find some sort of political solution to our prevailing problems, India was not puzzled about this involvement too much. Norway has been negotiating between Srilanka and LTTE for some years but India did not interfere in this negotiation at all, rather it expected and encouraged a good out-come out of these negotiation. This shows India’s political maturity and shrewd diplomacy beyond any pity politic.
I do not deny the fact that China and Pakistan have been supporting Srilanka economically, militarily for many years: Indeed, China and Pakistan have been providing weapons, military training and guidance to Srilanka to successfully continue its military campaign against LTTE: These economical and military support, contribution and corporation are great and timely needed. Srilanka should much grateful to these two countries: These are some of the objectives of SAARC. This year subject of counter terrorism will be one of main themes of SAARC conference and I think that Srilanka will make use of this great opportunity to sustain the support and cooperation of these countries in its fight against LTTE. That may be one of the reasons that LTTE declared unilateral ceasefire to show the SAARC countries that they want peace not war with Srilanka.
While European countries have been dealing with Srilankan issue with a hypotactic diplomacy, Sometimes, with warning to cut financial aids to Srilankan in the pretext of human rights, China and Parkistan have been supporting Srilanka in time of difficulties: You know your true friend at the time of need and difficulty not at the time of ease and comfortable situation. Srilanka needs to maintain this neutral relationship between these three countries: China, Parkistan and India: So far, Srilankan political leadership has been able to maintain impartial neutrality in this relationship. It is in the national interest of Srilanka to keep it up as like this.
We need to understand geo-politics of our subcontinent to appreciate India's role and contributions in Asia. It is sad that JHU and JVP do not really understand India's geo-politics. It may be true that Indians are monitoring the progress made by Srilankan army in the battle field. still I think that Indians will not support LTTE once again: Indian politicians know well that LTTE's ideology does not go hand in hand with India's mission and vision in Asia. I think that if Srilankan politicians go against to Indians governments it will damage our national interest. We are confident that our politicians are good enough to understand geo-politics of India. Still LTTE regrets for its mistake in dealing with India:
I think that India could play a vital role to secure peace and stability in Srilanka in a long term. Therefore, it is imperative that we deal with India with profound diplomacy and diligence so that we do not disturb our big brother at all rather we seek his advice, guidance and help. This brotherly treatment will benefit both countries to secure peace and stability and to sustain economic, political and social developments as well.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
by Dr Rifai
(July 28, London, Sri Lanka Guardain) I will attempt to correlate the role& contribution of successive Indian governments to the peace & stability in Srilanka in the current context of prevailing ethnic tension. It is very significant to understand and appreciate Indian government’s help and support to maintain peace and stability in Srilanka.
It is in the national interest of Srilanka and India to have good harmonious relationship. While Srilanka needs Indain’s help to secure peace and stability in the North & East of Srilanka, India needs Srilanka for its Strategic purpose: it was reported that India was initially supporting Tamil insurgency during the premiership of Indra Ghandi. However, Indian government attitude and foreign policy towards Srilanka dramatically changed during the Rajiv Ghandi’s premiership and Indian government even singed a peace accord with Srilanka during the presidency of late J.R Jayewardene: Why was that sudden paradigm of change in India’s foreign policy and indeed, in its attitudes towards Srilanka and Tamil issues at large? I will try to provide some insight into this dramatic change of diplomacy.
When I was at SOAS, University of London in early 1990’s I had a Tamil friend who was reading for an economic degree at the same college. One day when we were chatting about Srilankan situation, he told me: look Rifai. What a stupidity of LTTE leadership to fight with Indian Peace Keeping force and How could LTTE achieve any thing without India’s contribution and involvement? He asked me. How could LTTE fight mightiest Indian Army which is the fourth largest army in the world? and how long they will fight with them? I could not gauge the seriousness of his contention in those days. Simply, because, those days LTTE was vigorously fighting IPKF and moral was so high within LTTE political & military leadership and within its caders. However, only now I realise the real meaning of his prediction with unfolding events more recently. I, think this was indeed, the beginning of LTTE’s downfall: any student of politics will support such contention. India even called upon Probaharan to lay down arms in return they assured him that they will endorse some sort of the power sharing mechanism: Unfortunately, LTTE underestimated the geo-political and militarily influence and hegemony of India in the subcontinent: Was LTTE political leadership not politically shrewd enough to understand this elementary politics as my Tamil friend rightly remarked on that day? I do not think so. Of course, they were politically shrewd with advice of some experts in politics: However, for unknown reasons LTTE military leadership decided to encounter India militarily and in deed, they did kill more than 1, 500 IPKF: Furthermore, It is alleged they dared to kill Indian premier Rajiv Ghandi to achieve their goal not realising that this was a political suicide for them: If such allegation is true killing the Premier Rajiv Ghandi was one of biggest mistakes of LTTE. It could be described as a historical mistake of LTTE.
Since then, India adamantly changed its attitude towards LTTE and Tamil issues in general: It is often argued that India could have solved Srilankan ethnic problem years ago if they really wanted: When IPKF was in Srilanka they could have successfully defeated LTTE with their military power if they wanted to do so. But, they withdrew prematurely without completing the task they were sent for: Why did they do that? Did the IPKF military operation in Srilanka cost them dearly? Or was the Indian government under pressure from the International community and the Srilankan government to withdraw prematurely: I do not think that it was dearer for a strong Indain economy to maintain such war efforts in Srilanka and India was not under any international pressure to withdraw: It may have been little bit concerned about the late president R.Premadasa’s collaboration with LTTE. The late President has been alarmed with Indian government’s motivation to involve in the internal matter of Srilanka: He claimed that such military involvement infringes territorial integrity of Srilanka: Yet, IPKF could have completed their military operation with success. But they did not complete their operations for many ambiguous reasons: One possible reason may be that that India wanted to leave it to Srilanka to sort out its own internal problem. Since IPKF left Srilanka until now India has been craftily remained silent on the internal problems of Srilanka: . Of course it has been calling for some sort of devolution of power for the North & East province within territorial integrity of Srilanka. It has been calling to find a political solution through political negotiation not through military means. The Indian government has been dealing with Srilanka’s internal problems with precaution often with shrewd diplomacy and political maturity: May be the Indian government does not want to support Tamil separatism for obvious reasons: Given the geographical, cultural and ethnic nature of North and Tamil Nadu, It could pave the way for Tamil Nadu to create their own separatism in a long run. Even it could destabilise other part of India: It could be to maintain its economic, political and strategic interest in the subcontinent: Compared to 3 Million Tamil people of North & East, maintaining good relationship with 20 Million Srilankan people more beneficial in many ways:
This week, Srilanka is hosting SAARC conference in Colombo and for obvious safety and security reasons India brings its own security personals to protect its delegates. It is reported this is done in collaboration with Srilankan defence ministry : Indian special forces with fighter flights, helicopters and even with Naval destroyers provide security: This security arrangement has been a concern for some political circles in Srilanka: The security arrangement can be interpreted in many ways: It could be to protect Indian personal from any possible attack from LTTE as it has acquired air attack capabilities or it could be to show off its military might in the Subcontinent. Specially, when Srilanka maintains a close diplomatic relationship with India and Pakistan. Anyway, it would be politically naïve statement to say that such security arrangement infringe on the territorial sovereignty of Srilanka as contend by anti- Indain elements in Srilanka.
It may be that China and Pakistan help Srilanka in its war efforts with LTTE. But, I do not think we could sideline India in anyway. As we know that this insurgency was partly created by India. INDIA initially trained core Tamil Tigers and when Tigers opposed what India dictates to them: this relationship between India and LTTE broke down. I think that India plays a vital role in Srilanka issues and It could help us or it could create more problems for us. We should not undermine India as late President Premadasa did. It would be grave mistake if we do so. Whether we like it or not India maintains substantial power in our subcontinent. We should play diplomatic card when we deal with India. We should not make it too angry and we have to treat it as one of our big brothers who could help us in time of danger and urgency We should treat it as we treat our elderly brother in our family: In our family hierarchical order the elder brother has got some authority, and influence in the internal matters of the family: In the way, We have to treat India as one of our big brothers: So that we could seek help, advice, guidance whenever we need and we have to respect it as we respect our elder brother: I think that When Jaffan was encircled by LTTE, the late president Chanthrikka. Kumarathunga was about to ask India government to rescue our forces: Although, such request was not materialised with timely advise of our top Army leadership at that time, Srilanka did not have any other option except seeking help from India: Moreover, India is our next door neighbour, we have to treat it as we do treat our neighbours: Sometimes, the neighbours do not get on well. But, It is not a case always. however, We can not deny the fact that the neighbours the one who could come first to help at any emergency situation. India is our neighbour: In time of need and urgency, we can not expect helping hand on time from our brothers who live far way from us: Yes, they will help us but it will take long time to come through. However. Our closest neighbour could come on time at the time of urgency: So far, Srilankan politicians have been treating India with respect as a big elderly brother and indeed, as our closest neighbour. This mutual diplomatic understanding between the big brother( India) and the small brother (Srilanka) has been good and harmonious for both parties: Even when Norway, Japan, Parkistan,China and other countries involved in Srilanka to find some sort of political solution to our prevailing problems, India was not puzzled about this involvement too much. Norway has been negotiating between Srilanka and LTTE for some years but India did not interfere in this negotiation at all, rather it expected and encouraged a good out-come out of these negotiation. This shows India’s political maturity and shrewd diplomacy beyond any pity politic.
I do not deny the fact that China and Pakistan have been supporting Srilanka economically, militarily for many years: Indeed, China and Pakistan have been providing weapons, military training and guidance to Srilanka to successfully continue its military campaign against LTTE: These economical and military support, contribution and corporation are great and timely needed. Srilanka should much grateful to these two countries: These are some of the objectives of SAARC. This year subject of counter terrorism will be one of main themes of SAARC conference and I think that Srilanka will make use of this great opportunity to sustain the support and cooperation of these countries in its fight against LTTE. That may be one of the reasons that LTTE declared unilateral ceasefire to show the SAARC countries that they want peace not war with Srilanka.
While European countries have been dealing with Srilankan issue with a hypotactic diplomacy, Sometimes, with warning to cut financial aids to Srilankan in the pretext of human rights, China and Parkistan have been supporting Srilanka in time of difficulties: You know your true friend at the time of need and difficulty not at the time of ease and comfortable situation. Srilanka needs to maintain this neutral relationship between these three countries: China, Parkistan and India: So far, Srilankan political leadership has been able to maintain impartial neutrality in this relationship. It is in the national interest of Srilanka to keep it up as like this.
We need to understand geo-politics of our subcontinent to appreciate India's role and contributions in Asia. It is sad that JHU and JVP do not really understand India's geo-politics. It may be true that Indians are monitoring the progress made by Srilankan army in the battle field. still I think that Indians will not support LTTE once again: Indian politicians know well that LTTE's ideology does not go hand in hand with India's mission and vision in Asia. I think that if Srilankan politicians go against to Indians governments it will damage our national interest. We are confident that our politicians are good enough to understand geo-politics of India. Still LTTE regrets for its mistake in dealing with India:
I think that India could play a vital role to secure peace and stability in Srilanka in a long term. Therefore, it is imperative that we deal with India with profound diplomacy and diligence so that we do not disturb our big brother at all rather we seek his advice, guidance and help. This brotherly treatment will benefit both countries to secure peace and stability and to sustain economic, political and social developments as well.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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