Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s article ‘Indian assistance to crisis ridden Sri Lanka’ has been published in Financial Express on 26 June 2022.
India’s assistance to Sri Lanka is in line with its policy of “neighbourhood first” and vision for “Security and Growth for All (SAGAR).” These twin principles underline India’s emphasis on emerging as a first respondent as well as working in collaboration with other countries to meet the requirements of neighbouring countries in the Region, says Dr Sultana.
Sri Lanka, one of the most strategic islands in the Indian Ocean, is mired in several domestic political, security and strategic challenges since the end of the armed ethnic conflict in May 2009. However, with the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and the post-war economic boom, it was largely believed that no one would shed tears anymore in the teardrop island. Such hopes and expectations were belied when the country witnessed multiple terror attacks in different locations in Colombo on 21 April 2019.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s article on the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka has been published in Financial Express on 14 May 2022.
This is unfortunate that at a time when the country needs to implement effective solutions to overcome the worst economic crisis ever, the political stalemate to form an interim government since the first week of April was about to push the country towards anarchy, says Dr Sultana.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s commentary ‘IMF Assistance as a solution to Sri Lanka's Economic Crisis’ has been published by the Kalinga International Foundation on 28 April 2022.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s opinion piece, ‘Deepening crisis in Sri Lanka: An opportunity for India to displace China?’ has been published in First Post on 19 April 2022.
The piece analyses why expecting goodwill towards India to lead to a dampening of relations between Sri Lanka and China would be unrealistic.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s Op-ed ‘Sri Lanka heading towards Political Instability amidst Economic Crisis’ has been published by Financial Express on 05 April 2022.
The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has caused political instability and tension which in turn has pushed the country towards more economic uncertainty creating a vicious circle of political economy, says Dr Sultana.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s article ‘Ensuring energy security during foreign reserves crisis in Sri Lanka’ has been published in Financial Express on 23 March 2022.
Depletion in foreign reserves has led to uncertainty about Sri Lankan government’s ability to account for import of essential items and debt servicing. Analyses of government’s policy measures and global geopolitical-economic developments suggest that a state of uncertainty is hovering over Sri Lankan economy.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s commentary ‘Is India Gaining Influence in Sri Lanka?’ has been published by the Kalinga International Foundation on 22 February 2022.
Chinese reaction to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to cancel an organic fertiliser deal has demonstrated that China is not hesitant to take punitive action against Sri Lanka, if its interests are not fulfilled.
