PM Modi’s globe-trotting in second term to begin with Maldives & Sri Lanka on 8-9 June

Modi’s visit is expected to push India’s strategic initiative SAGAR under the government’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy framework.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he boards Air India One for Maldives in November 2018| PTI File Photo

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on his first foreign trip since his re-election, visiting the Maldives and Sri Lanka on 8 and 9 June.

The trip signals India’s decision to counter the growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region while giving a push to its own strategic initiative SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), under the government’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy framework.

Modi had last visited Sri Lanka in May 2017, and the Maldives in November 2018.

While the Indo-Pacific remains at the heart of Modi’s foreign policy moves, the China factor continues to remain a cause for concern. Therefore, India now feels it has to take a more “aggressive approach” in ascertaining its presence in the region, diplomatic sources told ThePrint.

SAGAR and SAGARMALA

In June last year, during the Shangri-La Dialogue, Modi had emphasised the need for a “free, open, inclusive region” in the Indo-Pacific. He had also laid out the concepts of ‘SAGAR’ and ‘SAGARMALA’ as part of his larger vision for the Indo-Pacific.

“The visits to Maldives and Sri Lanka will demonstrate the priority India attaches to its ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’ and the SAGAR Doctrine,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a release.

While the SAGAR doctrine, launched in 2015, has more of a geo-economic objective — India intends to play the role of a facilitator for the countries in the Indian Ocean region, ensuring their stability and growth — SAGARMALA is about developing India’s own infrastructure along the coast.

Prabir De, professor at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), a policy research institute based in Delhi, is actively working on this area. He said of the doctrine: “SAGAR is playing a key role in the Indo-Pacific. This is about strategy and security issues encompassing all aspects.

“The visit may also give a push to the ‘Blue Economy’ initiative of the government,” he said, speaking about the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.

Growing Chinese influence

There has not been much progress on the SAGAR front since its launch, but in the same period, the Chinese influence in the region has continued to grow by leaps and bounds.

China is now actively building infrastructure in Sri Lanka as well as Maldives, both of which are part of Beijing’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’.

India has recently joined hands with Japan to develop the main container terminal of Colombo Port. It is also planning to take up certain infrastructure projects in Maldives, where the previous regime had handed over some crucial development work to the Chinese.

Last week, Modi held a bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, who had come to attend his swearing-in ceremony.

However, according to Pradeep Chauhan, director of the National Maritime Foundation, the visit will be more about developing and consolidating India’s maritime strategy and not about the activities carried out by China.

“This is not a reaction to China. India needs to ensure that the region grows as a whole. India wishes to incorporate Sri Lanka in its larger vision of development in the Indian Ocean region,” Chauhan said.

“As far as Maldives is concerned, India is planning to become more proactive there, and assert its presence there to develop the region.”