Pathfinder represented at International Conference on BRI in Katmandu

Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Director of the Centres for Indo-Lanka Initiatives and Law of the Sea of the Petfinder Foundation presented a paper titled ‘Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Myths Vs Reality – A Sri Lankan Perspective’ at the international conference on BRI held in Kathmandu. 

The international conference, ‘Belt and Road Initiative: Opportunities and Implications for Nepal and the Region’ was organised by the Master’s International Relations and Diplomacy (MIRD) program, held at the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu. The conference was designed to examine opportunities, implications and challenges of BRI to Nepal and other countries in the region, especially India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. The international event looked at the multifaceted aspects of BRI, its implications and challenges to South Asia and South East Asia. 

The aim of the conference was to raise pertinent questions, such as what could be learnt from the experiences of Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand and Pakistan from BRI projects? Prime Minister of Nepal, K.P. Sharma Oli inaugurated the event and delivered the keynote address. In his address he said, “The transformative scale and scope of BRI has opened up a plethora of opportunities to integrate the economies, to markets and to invest in infrastructure.” He also reiterated the wish of Nepal to transform from a land-locked country to land-linked country. The Prime Minister further stated that regional initiatives such as SAARC and BIMSTEC are important platforms for multi-dimensional regional connectivityThe day-long conference was attended by scholars, professionals and subject matter experts from Bangladesh, India, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage representing Pathfinder Foundation shared his views on myths and realities of the BRI and Sri Lanka’s experience. He emphasised the need for Sri Lanka to develop rapidly, especially after ending the three-decade long conflict in 2009 by capitalising on its advantageous geographical location in the Indian Ocean. 

He stated that major Infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka by China have become a source of debate in the media, including among the academia and policy makers. There are different interpretations on the subject, based on perceptions of individuals or parties. Some of these arguments are based on one sided information conveniently ignoring related facts. Others are based on wild extrapolations from individual cases. Some such attempts appear to be part of a grand strategy originating beyond the shores of Sri Lanka. Such articles and discussions are then used by different individuals and groups to argue their case. 

Admiral Colombage made some recommendations for China as well as recipient countries to address the negative concerns relating to BRI. He stressed that BRI is considered as an opportunity by many states to develop infrastructure through which their economies. 

The valedictory address of the conference was delivered by Foreign Minister of Nepal, Pradeep Gayawali.