‘We expect them...’: Sri Lanka’s new President Anura Dissanayake hints who he’ll pick between India and China

Sri Lanka's newly-elected PresidentAnura Kumara Dissanayake has said that he didn't want Colombo to be 'sandwiched' between India and China as the two heavyweights of the region attempt to assert themselves on the geostrategically important island nation.

TheNational People’s Power (NPP) leader said he wanted to foster a balanced relationship in what was a clear foreign policy vision for the country.

“We don’t want Sri Lanka to be sandwiched, especially between China and India. Both countries are valued friends and, under an NPP government, we expect them to become close partners. We also want to maintain relations with the EU, the Middle East and Africa,” saidDissanayake in a September 3 interview.

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“There are many power camps within a multipolar system. We won’t be a part of that geopolitical fight, nor will we be aligned with any party,” he added.

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Dissanayake takes oath

On Monday (Sep 23),Dissanayake took oath as the 10th president of the country in aswearing-in ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. He emerged victoriousover his closest rival, Sajith Premadasa, by a margin of approximately 10 percentage points after a historic second round of counting.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Dissanayake.Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote: “Congratulations @anuradisanayake, on your victory in the Sri Lankan Presidential elections. Sri Lanka holds a special place in India's Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR.”

"I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our multifaceted cooperation for the benefit of our people and the entire region," he added.

Soon after, Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulatedDissanayake, whilst hoping to broaden cooperation with Sri Lanka under the Belt and Road Infrastructure (BRI).

"I attach great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations and am willing to work with Mr President to continue our traditional friendship (and) enhance mutual political trust," Xi said in a message to Dissanayake, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Dissanayake takes over the presidency at a critical time when Sri Lanka needs its economy to regenerate two years after the Marxist leader was at the forefront of the protests, which drove the Rajapaksas out of power.

(With inputs from agencies)