India’s ‘Neighborhood First Policy’ Benefits Sri Lanka a Lot in its Tough Time
Vinayak Barot
New Delhi: In the last few days, The people of Sri Lanka – including cricketers and political leaders – have believed that India is the only country that can help the island country come out of its financial crisis. India has provided fuel, food, and essential things to Sri Lanka in huge amounts as the New Delhi government believes in its neighborhood first policy.
According to experts, India is the only stable and financially strong country in SAARC nations that can help Sri Lanka. Other countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan are not in the conditions to help Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka-based political experts believed that EMIs of loans from China and the World Bank, slow development of local businesses, and low tourism in the country post-covid-19 damaged the economy country a lot.
On Monday, Opposition leader and Member of Parliament (MP) of Sri Lanka Sajith Premadasa urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help their nation to the maximum possible extent.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya spoke about the crisis plaguing the island nation and went on to praise ‘Big Brother’ India for its support.
Calling India a “big brother”- Former Cricketer Jayasuriya lauded the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending help to the island nation as it battles the worst economic crisis since independence.
Sri Lanka is battling a severe economic crisis with food and fuel scarcity affecting a large number of the people in the island nation. The economy has been in a free-fall since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sri Lanka is also facing a foreign exchange shortage, which has, incidentally, affected its capacity to import food and fuel, leading to the power cuts in the country. The shortage of essential goods forced Sri Lanka to seek assistance from friendly countries.
