China’s Geopolitical Strategy in South Asia: Support for Sri Lanka and Strategic Shifts Towards Pakistan Post-2009

President Nila
May 15
4 min read

China's diplomatic and military manoeuvres in South Asia, particularly regarding its strategic relationship with Sri Lanka during the latter stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009), have been the subject of significant attention. This article examines China’s support for Sri Lanka, particularly its role within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), its continued engagement during the final stages of the conflict, and the strategic shift towards Pakistan following the defeat of the Tamil Tigers in 2009.

China’s Support for Sri Lanka: Military and Diplomatic Assistance

China’s involvement with Sri Lanka has long been driven by mutual strategic and economic interests. By the early 2000s, China had emerged as Sri Lanka's principal military and diplomatic ally. During the height of the Sri Lankan Civil War, China provided critical military assistance to the Sri Lankan government, including arms supplies, training, and financial support. This assistance proved pivotal in bolstering the government’s military efforts against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a group that had been classified as a terrorist organisation by numerous international bodies, including the United States and India.

China’s influence extended beyond military aid to include diplomatic support in the United Nations. In 2007, China exercised its veto power in the UNSC, blocking a resolution that sought to address the growing humanitarian crisis in northern Sri Lanka, where the government’s military campaign against the LTTE had resulted in significant civilian casualties. This veto reflected China’s strategic commitment to safeguarding Sri Lanka's sovereignty, even in the face of increasing international pressure.

In 2008, China again utilised its veto power to prevent the UNSC from issuing a statement condemning Sri Lanka’s military actions. These decisions were motivated not only by geopolitical interests but also by China’s desire to maintain a stable relationship with Sri Lanka, which was seen as a vital partner in the Indian Ocean region.

March-May 2009 Crisis: Continued Chinese Support

The final stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009 were marked by an intense escalation in violence, leading to widespread civilian suffering. The United States and European Union called for an immediate ceasefire and international intervention to protect civilians. Despite these calls, China maintained its steadfast support for Sri Lanka, aligning itself with Russia and other non-Western powers to block any action in the UNSC that would have forced Sri Lanka to halt its military campaign. This support was not driven purely by humanitarian concerns but by a calculated strategy to enhance China’s influence in South Asia and secure access to critical ports and maritime routes.

China’s unwavering backing of Sri Lanka during this period cemented its position as a dominant force in the Indian Ocean region. In addition to safeguarding its political ties, China’s involvement further solidified its military and economic presence in Sri Lanka, ensuring access to strategic infrastructure and trade routes.

Post-2009: A Shift Towards Pakistan

The conclusion of the civil war in 2009 marked the end of a significant chapter for Sri Lanka but also signalled a strategic shift for China. With the Tamil Tigers defeated, China began to redirect its focus towards strengthening ties with Pakistan, which had long been a key regional partner for China.

The deepening of Sino-Pakistani relations was symbolised by the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure initiative designed to create a land route connecting China’s western provinces to Pakistan’s Gwadar port. The projects associated with CPEC are crucial to China’s ambitions of reducing its dependence on maritime trade routes controlled by India, thus enhancing its strategic positioning in the region.

China’s growing alliance with Pakistan has significant implications for the broader South Asian geopolitical landscape, particularly in relation to India. As China and Pakistan’s military, economic, and diplomatic cooperation has expanded, the alliance has provided Pakistan with critical support in its long-standing territorial dispute with India over Jammu and Kashmir. China’s increasing involvement in this dispute, both militarily and diplomatically, has only further complicated the already tense relations between India and Pakistan.

China’s Diplomatic Manoeuvring: Implications for India

China’s support for Sri Lanka during the civil war and its subsequent shift towards Pakistan post-2009 represent a broader geopolitical strategy aimed at expanding China’s influence in South Asia. By supporting Sri Lanka during the conflict, China secured valuable political and economic leverage in the region. Following the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, China’s embrace of Pakistan underscored a deliberate shift towards a more robust strategic alignment with its long-time ally, aimed at countering India’s regional dominance.

The growing Sino-Pakistani alliance poses a significant challenge to India’s regional influence. For India, this shift represents a direct challenge to its geopolitical and security interests in South Asia. The expansion of China-Pakistan ties, particularly through initiatives like CPEC, threatens to reshape the regional balance of power, undermining India’s position as the dominant regional power. China’s increasing support for Pakistan in the Jammu and Kashmir conflict further exacerbates tensions in the region, highlighting the complexity of India’s relationship with both China and Pakistan.

Conclusion: The Geopolitical Ramifications for South Asia

China’s support for Sri Lanka during the civil war, particularly through its veto power in the UNSC, was not merely an expression of diplomatic solidarity but a manifestation of China’s long-term strategic interests in South Asia. The shift towards Pakistan post-2009 represents the next phase in China’s evolving role in the region, as it seeks to enhance its influence and challenge India’s position as the regional hegemon.

The growing Sino-Pakistani alliance is a key element of this strategy, as it allows China to extend its reach into South Asia while providing Pakistan with critical support in its territorial disputes with India. This shift, combined with China’s expanding investments in infrastructure projects like CPEC, signals a significant shift in the regional balance of power and further complicates India’s geopolitical position.

Ultimately, the relationship between China, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan represents a microcosm of the broader geopolitical competition in South Asia, with profound implications for India’s security and foreign policy strategy in the coming years.

(Disclaimer: Images are AI generated and are used for representational purposes only)

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