China, India and the Balance of Power in South Asia: with Reference to Sri Lanka’s Position

Abstract

Since the ancient period, India is Sri Lanka’s closest neighbor due to the geographical location as well as religious and cultural links between the two countries. Recently, China also becomes a close friend of Sri Lanka mainly in commercial ties. Despite of Sri Lanka, in Indian Ocean there is a competitive rivalry in between the two Asian giants, India and China. The main objective of the study is “to identify the position of Sri Lanka in between the rivalry among Indian and China in South Asia”. Specially, the objective of the study want to find out the policy that Sri Lanka should follow in conducting firm relations with the both countries. The methodology that has used for the study is qualitative in nature and only based on secondary data. And descriptive analysis used for the analyzing part. According to the study, for Sri Lanka Indian as well as China both are significantly important in their sustainable development. Recently, even though China has became the in the first place of financial supporter, India also assist Sri Lanka especially after the humanitarian operation. In order to maintain the role of Sri Lanka in between the rivalry between the rivalry if the two Asian giants in South Asia, Sri Lanka need to maintain a neutral position in conducting relations with both India and China. The most important factor is that the Indian is the most immediate neighbor rather than China to Sri Lanka.