President’s visit to Tanzania and Seychelles:

Focus on Africa and Indian Ocean

Emphasizing the new focus on Africa in Sri Lanka’s foreign relations and building stronger links with the countries that share the Indian Ocean were the twin objectives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Tanzania and the Seychelles last week.

It is the prediction of serious analysts that the African economic boom is set to go from strength to strength. The continent is attracting investors from both East and West, with the rising economies of Asia – China and India, showing a massive interest in being associated with this growth, and the West – especially the US, realizes it cannot ignore the economic rise of Africa any longer.

It is this importance of Africa with its economic rise and emerging political strength that has led President Rajapaksa to re-think the foreign policy of Sri Lanka, especially after his election for a second term, and make significant moves to strengthen our relations with Africa. The visit to Tanzania was another move in this new focus in foreign relations, where relations with African nations will rise, with more diplomatic relations, and increased links in trade and economics.

A key event in his visit to Tanzania was participation in the 2013 Global Smart Partnership Dialogue, as a co-moderator of its inaugural session with his Tanzanian counterpart President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. The theme of this session was “Leveraging Technology for Smart Growth in Socio-Economic Transformation.” The broad objective of the Smart Partnership Dialogue, introduced two decades ago by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, was to ensure international cooperation in utilizing the latest technology and production techniques for the especial benefit of developing countries.

Addressing the gathering President Rajapaksa stated that technology should be used to distribute economic development evenly to the masses. He saw the need end the technological divide between the developed and developing nations, which will globally create equal economic opportunities.

Technology, including Information and Communication technology helps to leap frog in a nation's development roadmap, he said, showing Sri Lanka’s own example of being able to use ICT's to improve public service delivery in many fields.

During their discussions, the leaders of Tanzania and Sri Lanka focused on several areas of bilateral cooperation including economy, investment, trade, technology and tourism.

President Rajapaksa elaborated on present investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and invited Tanzanian investors to make use of those opportunities. He also apprised the Tanzanian President of preparations to host 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka. President Kikwete while reaffirming his support for a successful Summit in Sri Lanka pledged his country’s cooperation to Sri Lanka at many international fora.

With the new interest in Africa, it is important to know that growth south of the Sahara will surge to 6.1 per cent next year, well ahead of the global average of 4 per cent, according to a recent report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As for Tanzania, overall macro-economic performance has been strong, with inflation declining to single digits and gross domestic product (GDP) growth projected at about 7 per cent in the medium term. The main drivers of growth are telecommunications, transport and financial intermediation, manufacturing and construction, and trade.

Continued emphasis on sound economic management and strengthening political governance could ensure that the newly found natural gas resources will indeed play an important role in Tanzania’s socio-economic transformation over the medium term.

As “African Economic Outlook” states: “Tanzania continues to do well in maintaining overall macro-economic stability – which, along with institutional and policy reforms, has been a fundamental factor behind the strong economic growth rates. The main drivers of growth have been agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, transport and communication activities. The economy has also continued to record strong export growth. Tanzania’s medium-term growth prospects are around 7 per cent, significantly boosted by natural gas discoveries.”

This is part of the new growth trend in sub-Saharan Africa, and points to the necessity for Sri Lanka to widen our relations with countries such as Tanzania, and other countries of the African continent, that have the largest mineral, land and other resources and are poised to make a major difference to patterns of growth in the coming decades.

Seychelles

Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete warmly welcomes President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his arrival at the official state guest house. Pictures by Sudath Silva	President Mahinda Rajapaksa receiving a warm welcome from Seychelles President James Michel

President Rajapaksa’s visit to the Seychelles was an important follow up to the visit to Sri Lanka by President James Alix Michel of the Seychelles in August last year, when both leaders agreed on the need to protect the Indian Ocean and its resources as the ocean belongs to the countries of this region.

There was clear understanding that as Sri Lanka and the Seychelles share the same ocean others should not come to exploit its resources in a manner disadvantageous to our countries. The discussions also considered the pooling of experience and knowledge on Indian Ocean affairs though forming a circle of friendship between the countries that share the Indian Ocean.At the August 2012 bi-lateral meeting President Rajapaksa endorsed the need for protecting Indian Ocean's resources, and preventing others from plundering these resources which were commonly owned by countries of the Indian Ocean.

At last week’s bi-lateral meetings at the Seychelles, the two leaders underscored that Seychelles and Sri Lanka have a strong partnership based on various commonalities that island nations share, particularly based on common values, long-standing friendship and cooperation.

Building upon shared values the two leaders expressed their strong desire to broaden and deepen economic, diplomatic, educational, defence and cultural ties between Seychelles and Sri Lanka. This understanding saw the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding between the two countries on Defence Cooperation, Bilateral Air Services, and Vocational Training and Youth Development.

The meetings saw a renewal of the commitment to expanding the range of activities that will contribute to the shared goal of increasing bilateral trade and investment.

These include proposals at the business forum to facilitate exchanges between the business communities of Seychelles and Sri Lanka and to develop more effective public private partnerships in fields such as tourism, health, fisheries, maritime, education etc.

There was also agreement to explore the possibility of negotiating a free trade agreement that will serve to promote trade between the two countries.

With Sri Lanka’s advances in the banking and financial services sector, the Seychelles President Michel welcomed plans for the Bank of Ceylon to establish a branch in the Seychelles before the end of 2013, and both leaders discussed other potential joint initiatives in the banking sector.

The increased interest in the resources of the Indian Ocean, saw the two leaders agree on the importance of fisheries cooperation, and noted the sharp increase in orders placed in Sri Lankan shipbuilding yards by Seychelles fishing entrepreneurs. With this visit of President Rajapaksa to the Seychelles, it is expected that private investment in the fisheries sector will increase further in the future, with more exchanges to build the capacity of those working in the fisheries sector being underscored by both countries.

Another area of important current interest was tourism, where the strengthening of relations would include new avenues for cooperation in training and industry, staff exchanges through the elaboration of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sri Lankan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and the Seychelles Tourism Academy.

Of much importance was the area of defence cooperation, the importance of the related MoU would open the door to enhanced defence relations between Seychelles and Sri Lanka, especially in the field of maritime security. This was underscored by Sri Lanka’s successful defeat of terrorism, and the important experience gained in naval operations as an integral aspect of defence in the Indian Ocean.

Reviving the understanding reached at their meeting in Colombo in August last year, the two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on the pivotal role of the small island states in international relations. They stressed that islands, which are the barometers for development, are today demonstrating global leadership and rapid progress in addressing sustainable development challenges and inspiring other countries around the world to do the same. The proposal to have a special dialogue on small states and particularly island states of CHOGM was welcomed by both leaders.

These discussions also led to understandings on further promoting cooperation on environmental issues including climate change by developing partnerships in the renewable energy sector. They stressed the need for closer collaboration between the two countries in mobilizing the international community to address more effectively the needs and vulnerabilities of islands.

They emphasized that this is particularly important in terms of the post 2015 development framework which needs to be informed of the experiences from the islands.

Recognizing the importance of oceans as the next frontier of sustainable development for the world, the leaders agreed that as oceanic states, both Sri Lanka and Seychelles have important roles to play for the stability and prosperity of the Indian Ocean. In view of the potential that the Indian Ocean holds for cooperation and sustainable growth, the two countries agreed to redouble efforts to harness the true potential of the Indian Ocean.

President Rajapaksa is clearly opening new frontiers in our international relations, building better links with countries of the African continent and the Indian Ocean region, which has much in common with Sri Lanka and developing nations, and is able to share in the knowledge and resources that can help the cause of development in the future. This can also help to break the controls of the former colonial powers and the Western countries that have dominated economic activity in these areas for so long and also directed political developments through their economic strength.

India humbled on US spying

Whistleblower Edward Snowden remains in the headlines with the intensive hunt for him by the US, using every possible means to prevent him seeking or obtaining asylum in another country. For a country that has presented itself as being in the forefront of freedom of expression and the right to privacy, the US and President Obama are shameless in the hunt being carried out for Snowden, with several countries giving in to the pressure of the US. India is also among the countries that have virtually knelt before the US on the matter of spying on allies.

In a very timely comment on the Snowden issue and India’s official reaction, The Hindu states that: “Three conclusions stem from the exposé by Der Spiegel of documents leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden on the extent of American spying on foreign governments. Like the revelations themselves, they should not come as a surprise to our readers. First, the dichotomy of ‘civil liberties versus national security,’ which the United States — and other governments — have seized upon, is not only false but also a front for expansive surveillance. The U.S. National Security Agency, whose star rose in the aftermath of 9/11, has simply used techniques endorsed by the ‘War on Terror’ to camouflage its traditional espionage operations. Second, there exists no such concept as a “friend” or “ally” of the U.S. — partnerships be damned, especially when it comes to spying on the internal deliberations of other governments. Leaked NSA documents show the European Union, Japan, Mexico, Turkey and South Korea, all partners of the U.S., had their embassies and offices bugged, telephones tapped and computers hacked into. Third, Washington continues to consider international law as applicable to others, but not unto itself. Spying on embassies is a blatant violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961. While the Obama administration decries cyber crimes and “economic espionage” by China, Iran and North Korea, it has perpetuated the very same acts, only more brazen in that they exploit the trust of friendly countries.

While courting India as a key Asia ally, the U.S. has deployed its covert machinery to watch over New Delhi’s shoulder. The latest tranche of NSA documents reveal the Indian embassy in Washington D.C. too was targeted. The Guardian had previously reported, based on Mr. Snowden’s leaks, how British and American agencies had spied on leaders at the 2009 G20 Summit — with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in attendance — in London. India is also among the biggest targets for illegal American intelligence gathering under the NSA’s datamining programme, “Boundless Informant.”

It is unclear, but not unreasonable to speculate, whether such information includes official correspondence. Yet, while many countries at the receiving end of U.S. espionage, including France and Germany, have threatened to retaliate with stern measures, India’s response has been woolly at best. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has parroted the U.S. line on the NSA’s surveillance programme, saying “it is not actually snooping.” He has also peremptorily dismissed Mr. Snowden’s asylum request, reflecting the establishment’s callous attitude to the leaks themselves. That the U.S. spies on other countries is no revelation; but the fact that our government is choosing to react in such a supine manner and refusing to stand up for the privacy of its citizens and the confidentiality of its official communication is truly shocking.”