A former American Diplomat says, India must prevent further Chinese involvement in Sri Lankan affairs, as the Chinese have already made its mark on the island.

    Former U.S. diplomat William H. Avery said, in a book titled “China’s Nightmare, America’s Dream: India as the Next Global Power” that India must pressure Sri Lanka to kick out the Chinese and become a kind of vassal state.

    In the book, extracts of which were published in the Wall Street Journal last week, Avery describes how India just stood by and watched as China moved in to build a port at Hambantota.

    Avery, now a business consultant, served at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai in the 1990s, a time when India’s relations with the U.S. nosedived following New Delhi’s nuclear tests. Avery opens the book with this see-sawing policy to illustrate how, in his view, the U.S. response to India often has been short-sighted.

    Avery says, India must respond to the challenge of an authoritarian China, by spending even more on defense and using economic coercion to influence its neighbors. “India must now concentrate on the Finlandization of Sri Lanka,” referring to Finland’s subjugation by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. “In the short term this will mean preventing any further non-Indian involvement in Sri Lanka’s affairs.”

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    5 Comments for “Ex-US Diplomat Says India Must Block China In Sri Lanka”

  1. Tropical Storm

    January 15, 2012 – 12:48 am

    The US will soon become ‘Finlandized’, the day the first Chinese anti-ship, super sonic Silkworm missile turns a US aircraft carrier into artificial reef.

    In reality most Americans (who are already owned by the Chinese anyway) will adjust well to Chinese rule.

    Reply

  2. Chinthaga

    January 15, 2012 – 2:21 am

    It is too late for India to stop China’s close tie with Sri Lanka. Mahinda Rajapakse is a very cunning politician. He used India to eredict LTTE. Then used China against India. Getting benefit from both country. End of the day the biggest looser in the game is India. China will certainly use Sri Lanka for spying on India. India certainly deserved this. To keep Mahinda Rajapakse happy India watched with joy when the Tamils were killed during the war b the Sri Lankan armed forces. They supported MR. They ignored the plight of the Tamils. I really enjoyed watching this game played by MR. End of the day MR is the winner.

    Reply

  3. raj

    January 15, 2012 – 2:22 am

    how can India kick out China from Sri Lanka? It is impossible while US is keeping a relationship with china which is being criticised for human right violations.

    Reply

  4. C.NALIN

    January 15, 2012 – 10:28 am

    Dear Sir

    Very amusing comment by this former diplomat. He seems to be a bit out of touch with the changing world and times. Sri Lanka can be a strong regional player, if she can play her geopolitical cards astutely. Singapore is a good example to emulate – where a small country punches far above its weight.

    Thank you, Nalin

    Reply

  5. Dr Dulip Perera

    January 15, 2012 – 8:37 pm

    China is a strong regional player. It has shown resuts in SL already. Chinese are an active nation unlike the lackadasical Indians. Indian statergy would be to block Chinese hand or to sabotage thereby! It is evident, all the projects booked by Indians are idling! Heganonic Indians, your stratergy of planting LTTE suceeded but notanymore!!!

    Reply