Putting substance over style

In the course of a workmanlike tour of island nations in the Indian Ocean, Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed that his government’s foreign policy initiatives must run over a long term for them to bear fruit. The facet to be admired in this phase is that he made a credible attempt to put substance before style. There were no announcements of big deals in Sri Lanka, which clearly was the most significant stop in a tour that also touched the holiday island paradises of Seychelles and Mauritius. Without sounding as incredible as he may have when he launched the foreign policy of his new government with a spectacular gathering of neighbours at his inaugural in May 2014, the Prime Minister addressed issues that needed to be tackled in the sweet and sour relationship with our nearest southern neighbour.

The prickly irritants remain, as we were reminded even today by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe reiterating his statement that his country’s Navy has the right to shoot anyone intruding into their territorial waters. He did so after Mr Modi left the island in the wake of what Mr Wickremasinghe acknowledged was a “successful visit”. Such double talk has been the norm in problematic relations that have been exacerbated by the fishermen’s problem in the last six years since Sri Lanka’s war with the LTTE ended. There is obviously no quick resolution to this livelihood and humanitarian issue even if the fact of the matter is to do with Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters because the catch is far better there than in overexploited Indian waters.

In shrewd diplomatic positioning, the Prime Minister spoke up for the whole of Sri Lanka and how its territorial integrity is integral to the welfare of the region. In doing so, he may have stepped on the toes of those who comprise the strident Tamil voice that tends to place the issue on an emotional plane more than practical diplomacy based on patient negotiations in a spirit of give and take, which must now take place between the fishermen of the two countries rather than just politicians. In conferring with former President and China hawk Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Indian PM may have sent out the message that as a regional leader he can speak to a friend without upsetting the host.

In the position taken on the need for Sri Lanka to pursue the 13th Amendment, Mr Modi may have rendered the Tamil voice quiet. The success of his twin-track approach of keeping Sri Lanka firmly on India’s side while calling for reconciliation with the Tamil minority will probably be judged by events to come and how they will be shaped by the irritants leaders like Mr Wickremasinghe are strewing in its path.