{"id":241509,"date":"2025-04-08T17:02:56","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T11:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=241509"},"modified":"2025-04-16T12:37:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T07:07:26","slug":"indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s Chanakyan Playbook & The Sri Lankan Pivot: Reading Between The Handshakes"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Mahil Dole<\/a> –<\/b><\/span> <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"

Mahil Dole<\/p><\/div>\n

Geographically: Sri Lanka sits at a critical point in the Indian Ocean shipping lanes\u2014between East and West, near India, and on China\u2019s maritime routes. Strategically: It can tilt the balance between India and China, or serve as a bridge between competing regional visions (like India\u2019s SAGAR vs. China\u2019s BRI). Diplomatically: Its choices in foreign policy, economic partnerships, and defense alignments impact regional stability.<\/p>\n

Synopsis<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The recent state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/a><\/span> to Sri Lanka was marked by ceremonial warmth, smiling photo-ops, and affirmations of historic ties. However, seasoned observers would note that beyond the optics, the visit was a masterclass in calibrated diplomacy\u2014rooted in a strategic tradition far older than modern international relations: the Arthashastra of Kautilya.<\/p>\n

India\u2019s foreign policy is often analyzed through modern frameworks\u2014realism, strategic autonomy, and regional hegemony. However, an ancient lens reveals a deeper strategic culture. The Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya (c. 4th century BCE), provides enduring concepts such as the Mandala Theory and the fourfold diplomatic toolkit (Sama, Dana, Bheda, Danda), which remain relevant in India\u2019s approach to neighbors, especially Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

This ancient Indian treatise on governance and statecraft, attributed to the brilliant strategist Chanakya (also known as Kautilya), continues to inform India\u2019s approach to its neighborhood. The essence of the Arthashastra lies in realpolitik\u2014where the sovereign must secure the state\u2019s interests using a fourfold toolkit: Sama (conciliation), Dana (gifts or inducements), Bheda (division or influence), and Danda (force or deterrence).<\/p>\n

India\u2019s engagement with Sri Lanka\u2014particularly during and after this visit\u2014reflects all four instruments, skillfully deployed.<\/p>\n

Sama and the Power of Cultural Diplomacy<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Modi\u2019s speeches repeatedly invoked shared heritage, civilizational links, and religious commonality\u2014especially Buddhism. These overtures form the foundation of Sama\u2014conciliation and narrative-building. India positions itself not merely as a strategic partner, but as a cultural sibling, invoking millennia of intertwined history. Such messaging resonates not just with Sri Lanka\u2019s policymakers but also with the public psyche, particularly in an environment where international alignment is being intensely scrutinized.<\/p>\n

Dana and Economic Statecraft<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

India\u2019s economic outreach\u2014highlighted during the visit\u2014is emblematic of Dana. With over USD 4 billion in support during Sri Lanka\u2019s economic crisis in 2022, India now leverages that goodwill through long-term economic engagements: infrastructure, digital connectivity, energy security, and logistics hubs.<\/p>\n

Recent announcements on collaborative projects in Trincomalee, renewable energy corridors, and port infrastructure all serve a dual purpose\u2014economic development and strategic entrenchment.<\/p>\n

Bheda and Strategic Influence<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

While diplomacy is the visible layer, India\u2019s parallel engagements with diverse Sri Lankan political actors\u2014from Tamil political representatives to key southern figures\u2014signal the use of Bheda. This strategic outreach ensures India\u2019s influence remains embedded across ethnic and political lines, insulating its interests regardless of domestic political shifts in Colombo.<\/p>\n

This is not interference per se\u2014but it is calibrated access, influence, and insurance.<\/p>\n

Danda and Maritime Deterrence<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Though India avoids overt pressure, the subtext is clear: security cooperation remains critical. India continues to strengthen naval collaboration, joint patrols, and intelligence partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region. Its naval footprint, enhanced training programs, and cyber-cooperation platforms quietly reinforce deterrence.<\/p>\n

Danda in this context is not coercion\u2014it is preparedness. It\u2019s a message to Sri Lanka and others: India remains the preeminent security provider in the region.<\/p>\n

Mandala Theory in Practice<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Kautilya\u2019s Mandala Theory posits that a state\u2019s immediate neighbors are potential threats or dependencies, while allies lie beyond. For India, Sri Lanka is a critical link in its first strategic ring. With China\u2019s presence growing\u2014via infrastructure projects like Hambantota and Colombo Port City\u2014India is recalibrating its posture.<\/p>\n

Matsya Niyaya<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The law of the fish emphasizes the need to protect weaker states from predatory powers to ensure regional stability<\/p>\n

This visit was not just reassurance; it was a signal\u2014to Sri Lanka, to China, and to the region.<\/p>\n

Sri Lanka\u2019s Counter-Framework: Balance, Not Bandwagoning<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The key question is: How should Sri Lanka respond?<\/p>\n

Sri Lanka must not default into orbit around any single power. Instead, it must craft a strategic counter-framework that emphasizes:<\/p>\n

* Strategic balancing between India, China, and other major powers;<\/p>\n

* Sovereign-first economic policy, ensuring national interests in every agreement;<\/p>\n

* Internal political stability, minimizing the scope for external manipulation;<\/p>\n

* And a bold, new Maritime Neutrality Doctrine\u2014positioning Sri Lanka as an open, collaborative, but unaligned actor in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n

Colombo must not allow itself to become a pawn in someone else\u2019s grand strategy. Rather, it should present itself as a resilient, sovereign maritime pivot, essential to regional peace and trade.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/b><\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

India\u2019s approach to Sri Lanka is not reactionary\u2014it is deeply strategic and grounded in thousands of years of geopolitical thought. For Sri Lanka to protect its space and future, it must understand this paradigm, and respond not with confrontation or dependence, but with clear-eyed diplomacy, strategic clarity, and national unity.<\/p>\n

Kautilya wrote for kings\u2014but his lessons endure for nations. Sri Lanka must now write its own chapter\u2014one of sovereign pragmatism in a contested ocean.<\/p>\n

*Writer Mahil Dole SSP rtd, served in the Police department for over 40 years and was the former Head\u00a0 <\/span>of Counter Terrorism- State Intelligence Service and served as First\u00a0 <\/span>Secretary (Defence) Embassy of Sri Lanka in Thailand. <\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

References<\/b><\/p>\n

* Kautilya. (2002). Arthashastra (L.N. Rangarajan, Trans.). Penguin Classics.<\/p>\n

* Brewster, D. (2019). India\u2019s Ocean: The Story of India\u2019s Bid for Regional Leadership. Routledge.<\/p>\n

* Samaranayake, N. (2011). \u201cAre Sri Lanka\u2019s relations with China deepening?\u201d Asia Pacific Bulletin, No. 110.<\/p>\n

* Ministry of External Affairs, India. (2023). \u201cIndia\u2013Sri Lanka Relations.\u201d www.mea.gov.in<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[…]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2728,"featured_media":241510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,46,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-241509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombotelegraph","category-constitutional-reforms","category-editorial"],"yoast_head":"\nIndia\u2019s Chanakyan Playbook & The Sri Lankan Pivot: Reading Between The Handshakes - Colombo Telegraph<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"India\u2019s Chanakyan Playbook & The Sri Lankan Pivot: Reading Between The Handshakes - Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[…]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-04-08T11:32:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-16T07:07:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake-and-Narendra-Modi-April-5-2025-Pic-PMD.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"731\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mahil Dole\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mahil Dole\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/\",\"name\":\"India\u2019s Chanakyan Playbook & The Sri Lankan Pivot: Reading Between The Handshakes - Colombo Telegraph\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake-and-Narendra-Modi-April-5-2025-Pic-PMD.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-08T11:32:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-16T07:07:26+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/2ae3e0c7a187710ed7871e393c84f350\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake-and-Narendra-Modi-April-5-2025-Pic-PMD.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake-and-Narendra-Modi-April-5-2025-Pic-PMD.jpg\",\"width\":900,\"height\":731},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"India\u2019s Chanakyan Playbook & The Sri Lankan Pivot: Reading Between The Handshakes\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/\",\"name\":\"Colombo Telegraph\",\"description\":\"In journalism truth is a process\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/2ae3e0c7a187710ed7871e393c84f350\",\"name\":\"Mahil Dole\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fc47123d62deb4b7fb6e06533a3cdcbf6e49bc52da5fe7aa166a4c7dc9a416a3?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fc47123d62deb4b7fb6e06533a3cdcbf6e49bc52da5fe7aa166a4c7dc9a416a3?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Mahil Dole\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/author\/mado\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"India\u2019s Chanakyan Playbook & The Sri Lankan Pivot: Reading Between The Handshakes - Colombo Telegraph","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"India\u2019s Chanakyan Playbook & The Sri Lankan Pivot: Reading Between The Handshakes - Colombo Telegraph","og_description":"[…]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/","og_site_name":"Colombo Telegraph","article_published_time":"2025-04-08T11:32:56+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-04-16T07:07:26+00:00","og_image":[{"width":900,"height":731,"url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake-and-Narendra-Modi-April-5-2025-Pic-PMD.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Mahil Dole","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mahil Dole","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/","name":"India\u2019s Chanakyan Playbook & The Sri Lankan Pivot: Reading Between The Handshakes - Colombo Telegraph","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake-and-Narendra-Modi-April-5-2025-Pic-PMD.jpg","datePublished":"2025-04-08T11:32:56+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-16T07:07:26+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/2ae3e0c7a187710ed7871e393c84f350"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake-and-Narendra-Modi-April-5-2025-Pic-PMD.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake-and-Narendra-Modi-April-5-2025-Pic-PMD.jpg","width":900,"height":731},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/indias-chanakyan-playbook-the-sri-lankan-pivot-reading-between-the-handshakes\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"India\u2019s Chanakyan Playbook & The Sri Lankan Pivot: Reading Between The Handshakes"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/","name":"Colombo Telegraph","description":"In journalism truth is a process","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/2ae3e0c7a187710ed7871e393c84f350","name":"Mahil Dole","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fc47123d62deb4b7fb6e06533a3cdcbf6e49bc52da5fe7aa166a4c7dc9a416a3?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fc47123d62deb4b7fb6e06533a3cdcbf6e49bc52da5fe7aa166a4c7dc9a416a3?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"Mahil Dole"},"url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/author\/mado\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Anura-Kumara-Dissanayake-and-Narendra-Modi-April-5-2025-Pic-PMD.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2728"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241509"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241509\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":241607,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241509\/revisions\/241607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=241509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=241509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}