Sir — This refers to the article, “Signals from Sri lanka less than reassuring” (November 10) by Balbir Punj. Certain recent developments in Sri lanka do not augur well for India. The way the Chinese submarines docked there on two occasions recently smacks of growing warmth between Colombo and Sri lanka.
It is shocking that despite gestures of goodwill from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Colombo is bent upon snubbing New Delhi. The death penalty to five fishermen from Tamil Nadu by a Sri lankan court may derail good relations between both the neighbours. A solution must be found to this development.
It seems that Colombo is under Beijing’s influence. But Colombo must understand that Beijing cannot replace New Delhi in terms of strategic importance. Improving relations with China at the cost of India will not be good for Sri lanka. One hopes that trust between Sri lanka and India is resorted.