Hambanthota: Revival of Maritime Silk Route Indo-Pacific Strategy, Power Rivalry in the Region and its Impact on Sri Lanka

Abstract

There is a significant shift in the United States’ focus from Middle East to South Asia and more towards South East Asia, which is now termed as the Indo-Pacific Region along with a considerable change in their foreign policy. The Hambanthota harbor which was built solely with funding by China under its “One Belt One Road” strategy is also considered as a part of ‘’String of Pearls’’ which encircle India strategically from the south also a major security concerns of India, a major allay of United States in the Indo-Pacific Region. Sri Lanka with her geostrategic location attracts higher level of concerns of the regional and global economic powers. With the traditional strategic power rivalry between India and China in the region Sri Lanka has undergone and is still facing many consequences. Whatever the concerns may be, Sri Lanka needs to maintain an equilibrium in foreign policy in order to achieve her development goals without antagonizing major players in the region. Sri Lanka needs to correctly identify the contemporary regional and global strategic environment and needs to maintain a well-balanced foreign policy accommodating India and China as well as the extra regional powers like USA, Japan and Australia. During this endeavour the writer expects to find out the growing socio- politico and geo- strategic concerns of India, China, USA and the other key players in the Indo-Pacific Region and it impact on Sri Lanka.