Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest tweet condemning the Congress Party’s determination to just accept Sri Lanka’s sovereignty claims over Katchatheevu Island, located within the Palk Strait, again in 1974, has sparked a serious political controversy. He accused the opposition Congress get together of weakening India’s “unity, integrity and interest” by this “callous” determination. Sharing this sentiment, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, claimed that ceding this territory had violated the rights of Indian fishermen. 

Sri Lanka’s official response has been one among dismissal, as mirrored within the remarks of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, who stated there was no purpose for re-opening talks on a problem that had been “resolved.” Within Sri Lanka’s civil society, there was extra vital opposition to those remarks, that are being described as “unnecessary provocation… that could have serious repercussions.” Members of New Delhi’s strategic neighborhood also warn that such remarks might injury India’s credibility and show to be a “self-goal” for the federal government. 

While it’s true that alleged poaching by Indian fishers, and subsequent arrests by Sri Lanka navy, are witnessed within the Palk Bay, owing to its proximity to the Indian coast, studies of arrests of Indian nationals by the Sri Lankan navy lengthen nicely past the tiny island, together with off the northwestern coast. 

At the guts of the Sri Lankan fishermen’s complaints is using backside trawling by Indian fishermen and their use of monofilament nets. The Modi authorities itself initiated measures to cease backside trawling; it’s clear that implementation of the identical has failed as this unsustainable follow continues unabated. 

It is no surprise that Modi made this provocation simply weeks earlier than the nation heads into basic elections. In the past additionally, India has witnessed regional events making poll promises of “retrieving” Katchateevu as a part of their election manifesto. Bringing up contentious overseas coverage points forward of elections is an age-old tactic. The Congress get together has additionally attacked the NDA’s overseas coverage decisions, most not too long ago the BJP’s presumed mishandling of the border dispute with China, in a transparent ploy to garner votes. Similarly, evoking nationalist sentiments by Pakistan bashing has additionally commonly featured in elections campaigns, usually efficiently, as seen with the 2019 general elections. Given this precedent, it’s comprehensible why events could also be tempted to make use of overseas coverage to attain factors in election campaigning. 

However, however the short-term affect such political posturing on overseas coverage points might have on votes, such ways may affect India’s bigger overseas coverage objectives, particularly within the neighborhood. In different phrases, if the BJP is to return to energy (which it is all set for) will it have the ability to undo the doubtless long-lasting injury such statements have on India’s status? 

For a nation that’s dwelling to champions of pan-Asian solidarity relationship again to the instances of Rabindranath Tagore, such slender nationalistic posturing undermines the historic legacy of beliefs of Asian unity. Almost foreshadowing the modern state of affairs, famous historian Sugata Bose had warned that the politics of Hindu majoritarianism might undercut the imaginative and prescient of a broad Asian solidarity. 

One might argue that at present’s Asia is rather more diversified, going through extra advanced geopolitical issues, rendering Asian solidarity as a lofty best. However, it’s value noting that Jaishankar, who’s a powerful advocate of regional cohesion for a multipolar Asia, himself has on a number of events appealed to “Asian solidarity.” With the rising profile of Asian economies, there may be hope for a brand new period of Asian integration, and India should be the driving force of such integration. 

Reopening this dispute with Sri Lanka at a time when New Delhi is going through challenges in its instant neighborhood due the rising reputation of politically anti-India regimes isn’t prudent both. Whether it’s President Mohamed Muizzu’s “India Out” marketing campaign, which resonated well with the voters within the Maldives, or the opposition events’ anti-India tirade in Bangladesh or the return to authorities of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist in Nepal, which advocates nearer ties with China over India, it’s clear that India “Neighborhood First” diplomacy faces vital challenges.

Having acquired political goodwill by efficiently serving to out Colombo throughout its monetary disaster, careless remarks have the potential to undermine India’s regional affect. New Delhi’s strategic neighborhood vaccine diplomacy had injected a positive momentum in its neighborhood diplomacy, which must be maintained. 

To ensure, within the quick time period, tensions between New Delhi and Colombo as a result of these remarks is unlikely. In reality, even amid the rising anti-India sentiment, New Delhi remains the Maldives’ largest commerce associate. Similarly, India’s financial cooperation with each Nepal and Bangladesh continues unabated. However, challenges within the neighborhood can probably distract New Delhi from its bigger overseas coverage ambitions  – positioning India because the “Vishwa Guru” on the earth stage. 

Increasingly, as overseas coverage points develop into entangled with home politics, New Delhi must make cautious calculations. Whether it continues to decide on short-term home beneficial properties over long-term overseas coverage goals stays to be seen.