Website articles (10) Courtesy: Gateway House
15 May 2025

The New Geopolitics and South Asia’s Trade Architecture – What Next?

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Geopolitics is increasingly intertwined with the economic destiny of South Asia. Even before the U.S. tariffs were rolled out, growing polycrises had hit the global economy, which has been struggling since the pandemic. South Asia seems a relatively bright spark of regional trade and growth. This paper analyses South Asia’s trade architecture in the backdrop of a sluggish world economy in the 2020s, and makes recommendations for closer regional economic integration.

PM Modi alongside other BIMSTEC leaders at 6th BIMSTEC Summit Courtesy: ANI
10 April 2025

BIMSTEC: Vision vs Reality

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The 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on April 4, 2025 saw progress for the organisation, such as the adoption of a ‘Vision 2030’ plan outlining its goals till 2030. In other areas, the grouping continues to lag. BIMSTEC must watch for potential challenges to its future as it seeks to bridge the gaps.

FILE PHOTO: Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the presidential candidate from National People's Power, addresses his supporters during an election campaign rally ahead of presidential election, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 18, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Courtesy: Reuters
6 March 2025

Sri Lanka balances India and China

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Sri Lanka is playing a balancing act as it manages its ties with India and China. It is heavily dependent on the two rival Asian giants for its economic revitalisation and future growth, but it must be strategic in its approach with both countries as it attempts to manage its foreign debt and ensure project sustainability while maintaining geopolitical neutrality.

1729876260-prez-rice Courtesy: Ada Derana
19 December 2024

Dissanayake’s rice test

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Sri Lanka’s new President Dissanayake is facing his first big test – rising rice prices. High import tariffs and a powerful rice mafia given to hoarding of the staple, are compounded by other market distortions. Can he balance urban consumer demands with rural farmer interests? Either way, his options are limited.

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19 December 2024

India-Sri Lanka, friends in deed

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The state visit of Sri Lanka’s new President Dissanayake to India, is welcome at many levels. His party’s majority win gives Sri Lanka the strength to undertake the hard reforms necessary to put the island back onto its higher economic status. India’s assistance has helped but there is more to be done to elevate the bilateral. For India which is now in a hostile neighbourhood, Sri Lanka can be a valuable friend.

1281930c-c6c5-f298-0128-3e43ef8407c0 Courtesy:
24 October 2024

Partners for progress

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Sri Lanka's sovereign debt default in April 2022 triggered a paralyzing economic crisis. Steep inflation and widespread financial uncertainty hampered any efforts at recovery. The economy is now showing signs of stabilization. Internally focused government policies, foreign investment, aid from development partners like India and the U.S., and the IMF’s recovery program have set Sri Lanka on the path to recovery and, hopefully, eventual economic success.

1_new0809c Courtesy:
10 October 2024

Unfolding Geopolitics, Episode 14 | India’s outreach in South Asia

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The past week has been eventful for India’s Neighbourhood First policy, with the External Affairs Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka and the state visit of the President of Maldives to India. Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies, Gateway House and Amit Bhandari, Senior Fellow, Energy, Investments and Connectivity, Gateway House, analyse India’s regional outreach and recent economic and political changes in the subcontinent.

This handout photograph taken and released by the Sri Lanka President's Office on September 23, 2024 shows Sri Lanka's new President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka attending his swearing-in ceremony, in Colombo. - Sri Lanka's first leftist president was sworn in to office on September 23 vowing to restore public faith in politics but said he had no magic solution to the hardships suffered following an unprecedented economic crisis. (Photo by Sri Lanka President's Office / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/SRI LANKA PRESIDENT'S OFFICE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS Courtesy:
3 October 2024

Sri Lanka’s new positioning

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The new Sri Lankan government led by President Anura Kumar Dissanayake held its first meeting with the International Monetary Fund on October 3, to discuss further debt relief. Dissanayake, who overcame voter apprehension in the country’s presidential elections held two weeks ago, now has a historic opportunity to bring Sri Lanka out of the crisis and enable a compassionate and efficient transformation.

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19 September 2024

Unfolding Geopolitics, Episode 12 | Sri Lanka goes to the polls

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The presidential election in Sri Lanka on September 21 is the country's first since its economic crisis of 2022. Dr S D Muni, Professor Emeritus at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, discusses major issues on the ballot, principal candidates in the race and their policies, long-term social and political trends, and takeaways for the Sri Lankan parliamentary elections due later this year.