NPP Govt. and international relations

Diplomacy is considered as the weak point of the newly elected Government by some analysts. Unlike in the developed nations, voters in countries like Sri Lanka do not pay a great deal of attention to foreign policy during national elections. Interestingly, Vijitha Herath has been re-appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs in addition to the responsibilities of Tourism and Foreign Employment. For a political party which lacks international connections as well as experience in the realm of international relations, is it prudent to not have a full-time minister for an important portfolio like Foreign Affairs?

There were expectations that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would appoint Bimal Ratnayake as Foreign Affairs Minister subsequent to the Parliamentary Election. The NPP National List MP is probably the individual who has got the best command over English language out of the six-member JVP Political Bureau – which forms the nucleus of the NPP’s ideological partner’s decision-making authority. Among the JVP Political Bureau members, Bimal is perhaps the only politician who converses via Twitter on his own. Moreover, the Minister of Transport and Highways has been the foremost spokesman on international affairs on behalf of the JVP/NPP ever since one could remember. The Civil Engineering undergraduate from Moratuwa University is also Secretary of the Sri Lanka-Palestine Friendship Association, and he has been a vociferous advocate of the cause of the beleaguered State in the Middle East, both within and outside the legislature.

In the past, the coveted portfolio of foreign affairs was held by illustrious Oxbridge-type politicians in the calibre of Lakshman Kadirgamar and Tyronne Fernando who could deal and interact with their counterparts quite confidently and elegantly. Although many may disagree, it would be ideal for the nation’s Foreign Affairs Minister to have the competency to interact in English as we are a Commonwealth country. Interestingly though, the prominent NPP politician K.D. Lalkantha a few years ago remarked that the South Asian island would leave the international organisation of former British colonies if their party came into power. Possibly, the Agriculture Minister’s rhetoric prior to gaining political power would suffer the same fate as their pre-election proclamation of renegotiating the IMF bailout package.

The speech made by the President at the inauguration of the First Session of the 10th Parliament, did not make any reference to his administration’s foreign policy. As per the NPP’s manifesto, complying with the UN Charter; its principles as well as the UN System; and promoting international/regional peace and security are recognised as the principles of its foreign policy among others. Political commentators are engrossed about the oft-mentioned foreign policy doctrine which the State is supposed to have followed from one administration to another – non-alignment – since independence. However, the world has changed at a rapid pace. In a dynamic global environment, the foreign policy of a republic needs to evolve to respond to the geo-political challenges it has to encounter in the pursuit of advancing its self-interest.

In a latest development, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, during his visit to the Northern Province, which India considers as an area that comes under its influence, had said Tamils made a correct decision in helping the NPP to win the General Election. The controversial remark raises suspicions whether Beijing preferred the NPP to come into power. During the days of the JVP, the current top NPP leaders were holding extremely anti-Indian views. The Marxist political party was ideologically influenced by the Chinese Communist Party during its formative stages. It is quite evident that most of the significant foreign policy challenges over the coming few years would be associated with the undercurrents arising from the differences between Beijing and New Delhi.

Given the complicated position Sri Lanka finds itself in, it cannot afford to lose the goodwill of either China or India. Handling the relations with the two emerging Asian superpowers requires skilful and delicate diplomacy.