SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
Pakistan enjoys good ties with SriLanka that were at peak during the times of Mahindra Raj Paksay. Pakistan’s unconditional support to Srilanka against Tamil Tigers ( LTTE) brought both the countries close. Therefore when SriLanka team was attacked during its visit to Pakistan, Srilanka not only ignored the incident but its players vowed to play in Pakistan again. The special ties are also because of China that has heavily invested in Srilanka. But after the defeat of Raj Paksay, President Maithripala Sirisena came to power in January who totally changed the Srilankan foreign policy and paid his first visit to India which was first official visit of any Srilankan President almost after a decade.
Srilanka is crippled by more than two decade long civil war against the Tamil rebels and now it needs to upgrade its devastated infrastructure and boost its economy. Therefore new president first signed a nuclear technology deal with India and then came to Pakistan to seek more help in this field. Apart from nuclear technology deal, five other agreements were also signed between both the countries the other five include, a mix of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ sectors — sports and education are areas where mutual cooperation is relatively easily facilitated, but disaster management, socioeconomic development and narcotics control are all areas less well trod in our relations with Sri Lanka. Shipping is another area where a profitable collaboration may be had. It is a strategically important state if only by virtue of its geographic location off the southwestern tip of the Indian subcontinent, and it is now reaching out to a variety of international partners, not all of which find favour with India, which has viewed Chinese influence in Sri Lanka with unease.
Now it is also time for Pakistan to capitalize the good ties with Srilanka, in order to increase its influence in the region. It is pertinent for Pakistan to help out Srilanka in building up its infrastructure and economy and Pakistan should stand side by side to Srilanka. The trade-enhancement model, currently being considered for Sri Lanka, must be employed across the region. Once the neighbouring countries benefit from subsequent economic windfall, they will be all the more eager to overcome lingering political disputes that prevent a more robust regional future. Islamabad and Colombo must, therefore, make good on the promises being made these days between Sharif and Sirisena.
pakistan.shafaqna.com
