On Monday, Sri Lanka promised India that no one will use its land to endanger India’s security. This promise was made by new Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka during his visit to New Delhi, which will last until December 17. President Disanayaka expressed gratitude to India for its help, which includes $5 billion in economic support.
“We will continue to grow our friendship with India,” Disanayaka said at a press conference alongside Indian leaders. This pledge is important, especially because of China’s growing military activities in the Indian Ocean that worry India.
China has taken control of the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, raising alarms because Chinese naval ships have been spotted there, potentially threatening India. In August 2022, India expressed concerns about these Chinese ships, and initially, Sri Lanka wanted to delay their visit. However, they were allowed to come, increasing Chinese naval presence near India.
To combat this, India is working closely with Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Disanayaka discussed crucial issues like border safety and China’s activities. They also talked about new projects to connect electricity and build a petroleum pipeline, which will improve trade between the two nations.
Sri Lanka is trying to recover from a severe economic crisis, which led to political changes and helped Disanayaka’s party win the government.
Category: GeoPolitics
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Sri Lanka Commits to India’s Security Amid Rising Chinese Concerns
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Jaishankar: India Rejects BRICS Currency, Advocates for Global Diplomacy
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that there are currently no plans to create a BRICS currency which would involve Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on BRICS countries if they decided to go ahead with such a currency. Jaishankar clarified, “India has never supported changing from the dollar,” emphasizing that not all BRICS countries agree on this issue.
Jaishankar is in Doha, Qatar, to attend the Doha Forum, where world leaders discuss important global challenges. During a panel discussion, he talked about how countries often have different agreements and conflicts. He noted the complexity of international relations, stating, “It’s a messy world.”
He urged for “more innovative and participative diplomacy,” especially in conflicts, like the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which affects many countries due to rising costs of oil and food.
Jaishankar believes there’s a shift towards finding solutions through diplomacy rather than continuing conflicts. He emphasized India’s active role in talking to both Russia and Ukraine, aiming to find common ground and express the concerns of many countries affected by rising costs due to the war.
He pointed out that even major European leaders have encouraged India to keep engaging with both Russia and Ukraine to foster dialogue and understanding.
Jaishankar’s visit to Qatar includes participating in the 20th IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, focusing on strengthening relationships in the region. -
Trump Warns BRICS: No New Currency or Face 100% Tariffs
US President-elect Donald Trump had a strong message for countries in the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). He is asking them not to create or support a new currency that could replace the U.S. dollar. If they don’t listen, he warned they could face 100% tariffs—meaning their products would cost double when sold in the United States.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said, “We need a promise from these countries that they won’t create a new BRICS Currency or back another currency that could take down the powerful U.S. Dollar. Otherwise, they should expect 100% tariffs and will have to say goodbye to selling in the amazing U.S. Economy.”
He added, “Let them try to find another buyer. There’s no way BRICS can replace the U.S. Dollar in international trade. Any country that tries should prepare to say goodbye to America.” -
Rising Tensions: Hindus in Bangladesh Face Violence and Arrests, Demands UN Intervention
Tensions between India and Bangladesh have been increasing because of violence against Hindu people in Bangladesh. Recently, the Bangladeshi government has taken harsh actions against Hindus, including vandalizing temples and freezing the bank accounts of people related to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Protests have erupted across Bangladesh after a former ISKCON member, Chinmoy Krishna Das, was arrested on November 25. He was accused of disrespecting the national flag during a rally. Despite the protests, he was denied bail.
On November 29, a large mob vandalized three Hindu temples in Chattogram, damaging them and shouting anti-Hindu slogans. No one was injured, but it caused concern among the Hindu community.
The Bangladeshi authorities also ordered a freeze on the bank accounts of 17 people linked to ISKCON for 30 days. This came after a court dismissed a petition to ban ISKCON following a protest where a lawyer was killed.
Members of organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal protested against Krishna Das’ arrest, asking for the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. They urged the Indian government to take action.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist group, criticized the Bangladeshi government for not protecting Hindus. They called for the release of Krishna Das and better security for Hindus.
In response, India has expressed concern for the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. They hope the Bangladeshi government will act to protect everyone.
However, Bangladesh’s government responded, claiming India has double standards regarding minority protection, specifically referring to issues facing Muslims in India
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India and China Focus on Peaceful Border Relations
Last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to talk about keeping peace at their border. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament that both leaders agreed that when issues arise, they should be handled properly to avoid any disturbance in the border areas.
India and China have experienced serious tensions since 2020 due to a military standoff in the Ladakh region. However, after negotiations, they reached agreements on patrolling in two sensitive areas: Demchok and Depsang. Following this, Modi and Xi met during the Brics Summit in Kazan, Russia. Jaishankar noted that Modi welcomed the plans to fully disengage and resolve problems from the 2020 border situation.
During their conversations, they emphasized the need to use dialogue and meetings at different levels to improve their relationship. Jaishankar also shared that he met with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil, focusing on the future of India-China relations. They agreed to hold upcoming meetings between special representatives regarding the border issue, as well as restoring the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, sharing data on rivers crossing borders, and improving flights and media exchanges between the countries.
Jaishankar added that the Indian government keeps Parliament informed about significant progress and regularly addresses any border issues with China through established meetings and diplomatic channels. China’s Foreign Ministry recently stated that they are working closely with India to implement resolutions regarding border issues.
In a separate matter, Jaishankar addressed violence against minority communities in Bangladesh. He mentioned incidents involving Hindus and attacks on religious places during the recent Durga Puja festival. The Indian government has expressed concern about these attacks, particularly a serious attack on a puja mandap in Dhaka. The Bangladeshi government has increased security measures to ensure peaceful celebrations during this festive time. Jaishankar highlighted that the responsibility for protecting all citizens, including minorities, belongs to the Bangladeshi government.