The recently concluded Prime Minister’s 5-day long sojourn to
Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka which ended triumphantly helped India to
regain its lost ground in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The diplomatic lethargy
and subdued international posture of India in the past decade took a toll on
its stature in the global arena. Realising the urgency to make up for the lost
opportunities in its immediate and extended neighbourhood, Prime Minister Modi
sprung into action from the day he assumed the office. Meanwhile overarching
Chinese aspirations to woo nations in this region with a big purse have
propelled India into spirited action.
Indian Ocean has been trade hub for India accounting for more
than two-thirds of its trade. Even history indicates that whichever nation had
upper hand in this region had greater strategic advantage. Ironically no other
Ocean was named after a single country emphasising India’s preeminent status in
this region. While India’s land frontiers have been cause of major concern
being surrounded by hostile neighbours, the geographically vantage position in the
Indian Ocean region confers huge advantages on maritime front. Unfortunately India totally engrossed in guarding its borders frittered away the inherent
maritime bounty. By according high policy priority to this region, India made a
great comeback to regain its lost strategic, economic and political
opportunities.
Furthermore to curtail Chinese encirclement, India should strengthen
its naval prowess. Even as the recurrent Chinese incursions along the Himalayan
way are keeping Indian forces busy their regular supply of liquefied gas and
oil through the waters of Indian Ocean were never impeded. But in the event of massive
flare-up along the borders boosting Indian naval forces interdiction of the Sea
Lanes of Communication (SLOC) can straighten up Chinese military behaviour
along the Himalayas.
Modi’s approach unlike the previous Prime Ministers has been
imbued with assurances; generosity, and displayed an inclination to carry out
its responsibilities as a high profile nation in IOR. Unambiguous statements,
gestures, cordiality and willingness to act vouched for India’s conviction to
make a significant mark in this region.
Contrary to the previously aggrandised Modi’s bilateral
visits which drew high media glare this tour evinced moderate attention of commercial
News channels but was praised highly for its substance and deliverance. During
the entire tour Modi has been the cynosure of the local media and people of
Indian origin spread across these countries showered unadulterated admiration.
With his natural flair and ability to connect up with audience he held them in raptures
and received rousing reception. Besides addressing the National Assemblies of
these nations, an honour bestowed to closest allies, Modi had several official
meetings with businessmen, politicians and other civil servants. He welcomed
businessmen by offering visa on arrival and assured them of greater economic
benefits.
The first and second phases of the tour to Seychelles and
Mauritius were relatively acrimony- free. Modi inked four agreements with
Seychelles on hydrography, renewable energy, infrastructure development and
sale of electronic navigation charts. Modi gifted a Dornier aircraft and inaugurated
coastal Surveillance Radar Project as a symbol of bilateral cooperation. Modi
acknowledged the continued support of Seychelles to India in international fora
and for endorsing India’s claim for permanent membership of an expanded
Security Council. India too espoused its commitment towards climate change crucial
for sustainable growth and development of the island nations. Modi secured the
leasing of the Assumption Island, one of the 115 islands of Seychelles for its
development as a tourist attraction and for its use in surveillance. Relations
with Seychelles have been characterised by close cooperation and understanding
specifically in defence sector. There have been instances in the past wherein India’s
extended its unstinted support and help to Seychelles. During Operation of
Flowers of Blooming in 1986 India dispatched its frigates to avert a coup and
in 2009 it sent patrolling ships to guard its exclusive economic zone. In 2014
it gifted a naval ship INS Tarasa to augment its surveillance and patrolling
capacity.
In Mauritius, nick named chotta bharat Modi was chief guest
at their National Day celebrations. He flagged off India-built off shore
patrolling vehicle Barracuda and launched the construction of Hindi World
Secretariat building. He announced $500 million concessional credit line to
Mauritius and signed five agreements in the Ocean economy sector. India offered
to set up second cyber city in Mauritius. MoU pertaining to improvement of the
sea and air connectivity of Agalega Island of Mauritius was signed. Additionally
several MoU were signed in the field of traditional medicine, extending
cultural cooperation and for the fresh import of mangoes.
The final leg of tour to Sri Lanka was a tight rope walk for
Modi due to palpable apprehensions among the islanders owing to bitter acrimonies
of the past. The past 25 years of Indian government functioned under the duress
of the coalition partners and jeopardised relationships with Sri Lanka. While
the Northern part of the Sri Lanka, the strong hold of Tamils was excited and
enthused by the visit of an Indian prime minister after 28 years a section of politicians
expressed strong resentment over India’s interference in Sri Lanka’s affairs. The
strong objections of the Sri Lankan prime minister about trolling of Indian fishermen
and former President’s Rajapaksha’s claim of role of RAW for his defeat in
Presidential elections partly took away the sheen.
Amidst reigning cynicism in the island Modi’s visit was
keenly monitored. Modi’s unfaltering steps and slew of measures laid robust
foundation towards building a strong relationship with Sri Lanka. He tried to
invoke the spiritual, historical, ethnic, lingusitic and religious connect
between both the nations. With the new President Maithripala Sirisena making
India as his first port of call last month followed by Modi’s current visit there
has been a new synergy between two sides. Unlike President Rajapaksha’s strong
obduracy towards China, Sirisena’s pendency towards India is a welcome relief.
Four agreements on customs, visa, youth development and building of Tagore Memorial
in Sri Lanka were signed.
Modi visited Jaffna the war ravaged part of Sri Lanka and
handed over 27,000 houses built by the Indian government to the Tamils. He
urged the Sri Lankan government to enforce the 13th amendment of the
constitution which advocates devolving more powers to provinces and stressed
for political empowerment of the Tamils. He flagged off a Railway line
constructed by Indian government in the Northern Province, promised of
developing Trincomalee as a petroleum hub and extended $318 million credit line
for Sri Lankan railways. While there is no denying that Sri Lanka cannot shed
the tag of human rights violator and resolve the ethnic conflicts in the island
without support and assistance of India, there is a deep resistance to the idea
of being dependent on India.
The refreshingly robust new foreign policy approach of Modi
besides projecting India as a stable and reliable partner made a conscious
effort to overhaul ties with immediate neighbourhood. Till now India succumbing
to defensiveness shied away from geopolitics realities. But by clear
articulation of its foreign policy and strategic interests India tried to reclaim
its lost ground.
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