Foreign policy and SAARC

by Sarath Wijesinghe

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The foreign policy of a country is a set of rules that seeks to outline the behaviour of a particular country and how it interacts with other countries and international organisations. This mainly depends on internal external, political, and the “Global political and economic” considerations.

Foreign policy should be compatible with all forms of internal, political and economic conditions. Therefore special emphasis is given to the area of foreign policy in any form of government.

Sri Lanka needs this badly due to anti Sri Lanka propaganda within and outside. Good image is based on the conduct of the Head of the State and the government in power. Sometimes outside powers rock the boat due to international politics and petty considerations.

Generally it is the Head of the State that formulates and implements foreign policy with the government depending on the political and economic climate of the day. Generally the Foreign Policy of a state or an organization is not static confined to narrow borders. History has proved that in politics there cannot be permanent enemies and friends.

Countries and regional institutions are as selfish as individuals and the policy depends on the interest of the peoples of the respective nation or the organisation. Sometimes legislature too formulates and directly and indirectly implements foreign policy.

Indian foreign policy is somewhat static and firm irrespective of change of power as the administrative machinery traditionally protects the policies and interests in the interest of the nation.

India is extremely successful in managing her foreign policy. In India governments may change but not necessarily the foreign policy. In Sri Lanka it is not so. It varies from government to government. Always the United National Party tends to be pro West and the SLFP is non aligned and friendly with all.

Formulation of policy

In the United States it is the President who formulates and implements foreign policy. As a world power and self appointed world policeman. USA’s foreign policy is subjected to grater scrutiny by the entire world and plays a main role in world economics and politics.

The attitude of the USA towards Afghanistan which is the newest member of the SAARC group and Iraq which is still in turmoil are matters which concerns our member states and the region directly and indirectly.

In the United Kingdom it is the Prime Minister who formulates and implements the foreign policy as in France, and many EU and other countries.

In the former USSR too it was the President who was responsible directly for the foreign policy. National security, world security, economic prosperity, ideological goals and more importantly peace and wars depend on the foreign policy considerations of States and international organisations.

Mahinda Chintana

Chapter I and VII of the Sri Lankan Constitution deal with the people, the State sovereignty, and the executive which empower the President with enormous direct and indirect powers on the formulation and implementation of foreign policy.

President Rajapaksa has spelt out the basic policy principles in “Mahinda Chintana” well in advance - in addition to his statements and policy statements - which are reproduced below.

“I will follow a non-aligned and progressive foreign policy. Priority will be given to the political, defence, economic and cultural spheres and to the cordial and friendly relations that we already have with countries in the Asian region including India, Japan, China and Pakistan.

It is my belief that the United Nations Organisation and international financial institutions should be more democratic in their approach and it is my intention to strongly implement international treatises declarations on anti corruption and will give support to world environmentalists to implement the Koyoto Declaration in regard to environment”.

This pronouncement is complete and exhaustive. “Mahinda” has not strictly deviated from the policy adopted by Madam Bandaranaike, who managed it well in the 1970s.

Today it is the new world with no cold war and the creation of the global village as a result of the unprecedented and amazing E-com developments that have transformed the entire social, political and economic fabric of the world. Mahinda is friendly, warm and realistic.

He has become a main player in the politics of the Chess Game within a short spell of time. Foreign policy of the country depends on the conduct and behaviour of the leader, his reputation and charisma. Mrs. Bandaranaike made us a respectable and active member of the world family and her relations with India was excellent.

She settled Kachchativu and Indo-SL dispute amicably using her personal connections with India. So are the conduct and relations of Mahinda with India and the Indian leaders despite venomous anti Sri Lankan propaganda by our own misguided opposition and some non governmental organisations.

Mahinda who is lovable and popular among the family of states, has adopted his own way and style using his charisma and personal charm which is a great gift to the nation. He has realised that we need honest and genuine friends in need.

Close - warm friendships and relations with Iran, Japan, Pakistan, China, Russia, UK and EU are well done and well thought of. He addresses world gatherings at ease and without a script unlike Blair or Brown.

In foreign policy the leader of the country adopts it with his own style. Bush is different from Clinton and Major, Blair and Brown have their own style of handling matters. So is the case in Russia. Handling of foreign relation of Premadasa and Chandrika very much below average. Mahinda’s handling of international matters is excellent with the help of the able Foreign Minister who too is charismatic and finds his way in some way to get the job done.

Meeting Heads of States and taking appointments are not easy. Foreign Minister’s immediate predecessor struggled hard but failed to meet many leaders of states as he was a novice and not geared and suitable for the job.

“Rohitha” handles the job and brings results at any cost. He somehow meets the Head of State by using his charm personality and charisma which are necessary ingredients of a foreign minister.

His Excellency once said that Rohitha will even walk into the bedroom and meet the leader of the country where necessary to get the job done. Dr. Palitha Kohona the able secretary and Professor Rajiva Wijesinha Chair-Peace Secretariat too are assets and main contributors in this success story.

Historical friendships

SAARC is the peak of our foreign relations and a main cross road in the history of Sri Lanka after the 3rd Century BC when “Devanam Priya Darashana Asoka” had a close friendship with unseen close friend Tissa of Sri Lanka.

After conquering the whole of India except three Tamilian Provinces, he was disillusioned with life and power due to mass killings at Kalinga war and subsequent influence of Samanera Nigrode whose association changed his entire lifestyle and history of India. (Thanks to Professor Rohanadeera for educating

me on the historical facts) King Asoka knighted Tissa with the title “Devanam Priya Tissa” and sent his own children to Sri Lanka as emissaries to propagate Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Amazingly though he had plans to be the King of India never planned to conquer Sri Lanka which British surreptitiously took control over has been an independent entity throughout the history.

Success and future

SAARC has travelled a long way after the inception in 1985, with the aim to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia, strengthen collective, self-reliance, promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in various fields and cooperate with international and regional organisations.

Stage is set today for SAARC to be a fully fledged regional (international) organisation in line with EU - the most developed regional organisation in the globe-aiming to be a regional superpower.

Achievements of SAARC are many. South Asia Free Trade Agreement, cooperation in areas such as with exchange of information, regional convention on the suppression of terrorism involving funding of terrorists, special measures to safeguard territorial integrity and protection of small states, steps taken to agitate for nuclear disarmament are some and much more are on the agenda such as a SAARC Bank, SAARC university and many other programs and projects.

What next?

What next is the next issue. The forward march of SAARC today is unstoppable as some reluctant members have become as active as the pioneers. World is leading towards troubled seasons economically and politically and we could no longer rely on the “Selfish West” that do not understand our issues.

We must not be shy - but be proud that the origin of our religions and culture is India which is going to be a world power sooner or later and the beneficiaries are neighbours as well. We should help, respect and promote each other.

EU which started with 6 members in 1957, by treaty of Rome as an economic union today is a political and economic community with 27 member States with super national and intergovernmental feathers which have created a single market.

It has almost 500 million citizens and generates 31 per cent share of the world’s nominal GDP (US$ 15.8 trillion in 2007) SAARC is the poorest of the poor in the region with 3 per cent of the land area of the globe, and per capita income of around $ 100 to 400 but exceptionally rich in culture religions and natural and environmental resources.

SAARC and EU

EU has two superpowers as members which is unreasonable and imbalanced. UN was established in place of the League of Nations as in the aftermath of the war 60 years ago and nothing is changed yet. It is old archaic and need drastic changes to suit the modern needs and current issues.

Strong regional organisations are required to bring about drastic and necessary changes urgently. President Rajapaksa has aired these views at the recent Commonwealth Summit in London in order to bring about changes in the UN, World Bank and other international organisations. Let SAARC too be a strong forum for these agitations as we as members and a group throughout were treated badly.

SAARC members never criticise one another on “Human Rights” and internal issues. We understand one another and our problems and issues are same or similar. Concepts of European Human rights instruments originated after the war in 1945 which are based on great Christian values, which are not alien to great Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic values on humanity, human dignity and Human Rights in Asia.

Our region has economic problems due to limited resources though immensely rich in culture. We are unable to air our views as we have no voice or proper forum in the highest forum which is the United Nations. It is time the small SAARC nations promote their big brother for a place in the UN apex body. Currently Britain, France, USA and China are members of the apex body the Security Council.

Fight two wars

Either India or SAARC can be given the membership. As we are going to chair SAARC for the next one year, I urge President Rajapaksa to consider this suggestion seriously and take steps to initiate as the Head of SAARC in the interest of our country and the entire region.

We are fighting a war on terror in order to liberate Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese brethren trapped in LTTE terror. The entire world is engulfed in the war on food. The West with wealth is feeling hard and the pinch will be severe in our poor region.

In the modern world no country can live in isolation as borders are being disintegrated and everything is interconnected and inter dependent. Please do not be petty. We may have differences but we have to win these terrible wars lest we may have no country to fight for. Let us put country first and politics later.

Learn from Conservatives in the UK who co-operated with Labour to fight IRA terror and now in a few months confident in victories as the party in power.

Let us set an example to other members of SAARC by acting and showing our maturity and magnanimity in politics in the interest of the nation.

(The writer is a Senior Solicitor and Chairperson, Centre for SAARC studies in the United Kingdom).