Indo-Lanka ties on a new high

The confidence expressed by Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in President Mahinda Rajapaksa to win peace for the country in the same way he won against terrorism is gratifying indeed and reflects the admiration for the President by world leaders of this singular achievement while many powerful nations were still grappling with terrorism.

It is also a significant gesture on the part of the Indian leader that would go a long way in eliminating all doubts and misunderstandings vis a vis Indo-Lanka relations during the latter stages of war where many perceived that India would step into halt the offensive.

Dr. Singh's sentiments have put paid to all thoughts that such designs ever existed and Indo-Lanka relations can now proceed as smooth as ever with a confidence vote passed on President Rajapaksa by no lesser personage than the Indian leader himself.

The Indian Premier also said the President's enormous talent should help solve the long drawn out issue in Sri Lanka permanently, when the two leaders met for bilateral discussions after the conclusion of the Non- Aligned Summit in Egypt.

The sentiments of the India leader certainly augurs well for a fresh understanding and a renewed friendship between the two countries which was somewhat strained during the height of the conflict in Sri Lanka. True, the Centre was hamstrung by domestic compulsions having to make some noises to placate Tamil Nadu sentiments in the backdrop of a general election.

This more than anything resulted in India's sometimes unwarranted interest in Sri Lanka's affairs that irked a majority of Sri Lankans. The continuous arrival of Indian politicians, the diplomatic shuttling during the last stages of the war made this feeling more pronounced among a majority.

However, such fears have now proved unfounded. The Indian Premier has in no uncertain terms given the President the thumbs up for defeating terrorism which could also have impinged on the security of the Indian State given the new phenomenon of cross border terrorism.

True, Indo-Lanka relations have witnessed fluctuating fortunes over the years but these often were of our own making. However, to the credit of India, it never for once even so much as hinted at intervention ala the infamous Parippu drop which went onto demonstrated the new dynamics of India's policy towards Sri Lanka.

It was certainly a major policy shift from what was earlier perceived rightly or wrongly as a big brother attitude that was not well received by Sri Lankans.

Time was when Indo-Lanka relations were at its zenith during the regime of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike which was based on mutual trust and understanding and more than anything - sensitivity towards India's interests with nothing done to antagonize her big neighbour. Unfortunately, the shift in this relationship took place when President Jayewardene needlessly antagonized India with his pro American leanings during the Cold War years and Sri Lanka came to be seen in the eyes of most as a virtual vassal state of India that also went on to exacerbate the country's terrorist problem.

A lot of water has flown under the bridge since those unfortunate times and India has today reshaped and refashioned its relations with Sri Lanka based on mutual trust and understanding and the latter not acting detriment to India's geo-political interests. The thawing of super power rivalry of a bi-polar world also saw a shift in India's strategic interest which did not factor in Sri Lanka. Now, with the elimination of the LTTE which was always an emotional issue with Tamil Nadu, a major irritant that soured relations between the two countries has been eliminated.

The recent high level visits to India by senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa and special Presidential emissaries have also done much to cement this new bond between the two countries in the aftermath of the war.

It appears that Indo-Lanka relations are set on a new footing after the defeat of the LTTE which as already mentioned was the single most factor that led to a strain in relations between the two countries during the past three decades.

The field is now clear for Indo-Lanka ties to assume a new dimension and the Indian Prime Minister has already made a promising gesture which indicate the direction of this new relationship. We on the other hand should strive to make the best use of this emerging scenario to the country's advantage in the economic, social, cultural and all other spheres.