Security
should be the overarching contribution
Sri Lanka’s assumption of the chair of
the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation (BIMSTEC) raises opportunities as the grouping provides yet another
forum through which Sri Lanka could articulate a clearer, pragmatic approach to
international engagement across a spectrum of themes. It also exposes
inadequacies which seem inherent with the opportunities provided to the country
in the recent years. Political uncertainty, strategized diplomacy and a coordinated
approach are among those issues that top the list of challenges ahead as the country
focuses on electoral processes in the next couple of years, is yet to identify
a clear strategized mode of engagement in diplomacy, and sourly lacks an overall
coordinated mechanism in the field of international relations.
The grouping of seven states which
brings together Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand as well as
Bhutan and Nepal, dates back just two decades to 1997, but has met at the summit level on only four occasions including the recently concluded summit
in Nepal. Though the position is for a period of two years, the history of
BIMSTEC has seen long gaps between summits resulting in extended presidencies. While
the 14 sector specific areas of cooperation remain the foundation upon which
the organisation functions, these thematic areas, led by each country, result
in the opportunity to guide the actions and enhance the cooperation of the organization,
under their respective leadership.
Sri Lanka has been delegated leadership
in the areas of Technology as well as Counter Terrorism and Transnational
Crime. While technological advancement in Sri Lanka is gradually gaining
momentum it would be more opportune for the country to play a dynamic role in
the second category of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime. Despite the
experiences of a near three decade conflict, the means by which terrorism was
thwarted and how territorial integrity was safeguarded, it all continues to
remain secluded within the island. The sharing of such counter terrorism
measures and enhancing dialogue on the issue, either at the bilateral level with
other countries facing similar conflicts or in multilateral security fora, does
not occur at the pace at which it would be expected, and here Sri Lanka can
lead, and lead proactively.
The
Security Dimension: Overarching Contribution of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, in its time at the helm, would
do well to underscore the importance in BIMSTEC of an overarching umbrella of security
which includes all 14 areas and does not limit the country to just two
areas of specialization. Considering the guidance that Sri Lanka could provide
each of the sectors through a coordinated approach amongst the membership, Sri
Lanka would see a momentous period at the head of BIMSTEC. This would give the
grouping direction, rejuvenation and revive its core mandate, while increasing
its relevance in the years ahead.
When considering the priority sectors,
be they trade and investment, technology, fisheries, agriculture, public health,
poverty alleviation, and transport and communication, or the promotion of tourism,
enhancing cultural cooperation, and boosting people to people contact, as well
as the need for heightened cooperation in the fields of counter terrorism and
transnational crime, and the all important categories of energy, environment
and disaster management, and climate change, BIMSTEC needs to focus on security
throughout.
Failing economies, lack of investments,
challenging technological advancements, over fishing, poor agriculture methods,
inadequate public health services, counter-productive poverty alleviation
measures and underdeveloped transport and communication means could elongate
the problems facing BIMSTEC countries, but more importantly increase the
security risk these countries continue to face due to the inadequacies experienced.
Similarly low levels of intra-regional tourism, insufficient cultural
cooperation and scarce people-to-people contact jeopardize the process of
integration that BIMSTEC expects to achieve. The security dimension cannot be overestimated
in relation to improving counter terrorism measures and thwarting transnational
crime, as well as in securing greener energy options, and mitigating the impact
of climate change in the region, which is prone to incessant natural disasters.
Sri Lanka possesses the wherewithal to successfully
lead the overarching efforts from a security dimension through the drawing up,
in consultation with the member states, of effective plans of action for the 14
specified thematic areas of priority. This would ensure that Sri Lanka’s chairing
of the group would be momentous. However three critical aspects have to be factored
into the decision making process, they being the political processes, the need
for strategized diplomacy and a coordinated approach.
Political Processes
Sri Lanka’s democratic system has seen
the country encounter a high level of vibrancy which at varied periods resulted
in the state having to steer through excessively stormy conditions, yet it has retained
its democratic stature. The political processes that are inherent of a
democracy see, at times, drastic changes in leadership, which alter policy
formulation and implementation.
Sri Lanka secured the Chair-in-Office
position of the Commonwealth in 2013 and retained it till 2015. The change in individuals
at the top of the ladder saw Sri Lanka spirit away a hard fought for
opportunity to make an impact on the grouping and seal her position within the
Commonwealth of Nations. While the Chair-in-Office position is for a period of two
years and is held by the leader of the country hosting the Heads of Government
Meeting, the position has no specified terms of reference but gives the holder
the opportunity to explore deeper involvement with members of the grouping.
The next couple of years are being
touted as crucial with the playing out of political processes in the island, and
concern rises over the attention BIMSTEC would receive in the milieu of activity.
Strategized
Diplomacy
Whilst domestic compulsions need to be
prioritized, Sri Lanka needs to focus on a strategized process of diplomatic engagement,
rather than piecemeal efforts to liaise with the world. In the domain of
diplomacy, the identification of core values in foreign policy formulation and
the effective implementation of that which is decided, require a concerted
effort which is not always apparent.
Sri Lanka sits as a member, dialogue partner
or observer at various multilateral fora, however the contribution made therein
and the benefits accrued therefrom remain ambiguous. Just as the widespread engagement
is vital for a small state in the global system, the usefulness of that position
would only be realized through a strategized process of synergizing that
engagement. Here diplomacy remains the key. Member states in BIMSTEC are identifying
priority areas, comprehending looming challenges, adapting to the presence of new
actors, exploring new initiative and opportunities, and most importantly changing
the course of their respective ships of diplomacy to suit global developments.
Sri Lanka lacks a foreign policy formula
that would strategically ensure the country reaps the benefits of its geographical
position, regional engagement and international involvement. The identification
of the importance of the neighbourhood - the Indian Ocean Region and its member
states; crucial regional groupings which are growing in scope and power; as
well as specific countries to be gateways into regions across the world, would
augur well for the strategizing of diplomacy.
Coordinated
Approach
Foreign policy formulators have been
keen, at times, to rationalize the formulation of policy as with the case of
the non recognition of Kosovo at the time of its declaration of independence in
2008, owing to the domestic ramifications of such recognition. Yet that non-recognition
appears limited to part of the political sphere only. In May 2018, a Theatre
Festival in Colombo, of which a state entity was identified as a partner, drew
participants from Argentina, Austria, Germany, India, Italy, Turkey, and notably
from Kosovo. The inclusion of participants, even though it may be argued in the
sphere of the arts, indicates the recognition afforded to Kosovo. Participants
would require visas to enter Sri Lanka, which would be stamped on Kosovan
passports. They would perform as natives of that country and under their flag, and
would represent the artistic voice of that state, which is supposedly not recognised
in Sri Lanka.
While the artistic community may be unaware
of the intricacies of international engagement, the state institution which partnered
in organising the event would need to bear responsibility, as the state
apparatus as a whole needs to be singing off the same sheet, especially when it
comes to a matter of such sensitivity as Kosovo. Evidencing a severe lack in a coordinated
approach as one arm remains ignorant of the action of another other speaks
volumes.
In relation to BIMSTEC, the onus is on
the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry to structure a pragmatic approach that would
bind all strategically vital sectors within the country, especially those in security,
and trade and commerce, and to effectively lead the grouping in its areas of priority,
if Sri Lanka is to maximize, or at the very least benefit from the opportunity
received.
The ensuing two years will see Sri
Lanka’s chairing of BIMSTEC being hailed as momentous or simply passing as
another mundane period in the history of the grouping and the country. Sri Lanka
has been entrusted with the prospect of providing guidance to a grouping that
bridges South and South East Asia. The country would do well to use the
occasion to chart the direction of BIMSTEC and thereby rise in the region, rather
than squander the opportunity by merely chairing the discussions.
- George I. H. Cooke
