At a moment when India’s relations with some of its immediate neighbours, particularly Pakistan and Bangladesh, have become strained, support has emerged from the southern end of the region. Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa has underscored India’s potential to play a stabilising and leadership role in South Asia, a region currently facing widespread political instability, public unrest, and the growing threat of extremism. The timing of Rajapaksa’s remarks is significant, coming just ahead of elections in violence-affected Bangladesh and Nepal.
In a detailed post on X, Rajapaksa, the elder son of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, argued for stronger regional cooperation among South Asian nations. He pointed to repeated episodes of political turbulence in countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal, noting that both have experienced mass protests and abrupt changes in leadership over the past few years. According to him, these developments highlight the urgent need for a coordinated regional approach.
Rajapaksa said that recent global and regional security developments have made it increasingly clear that South Asia cannot afford fragmented responses to shared challenges. He stressed that India, given its size, influence, and strategic position, is uniquely placed to play a central role in fostering cooperation and stability across the region. He added that Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have all, in recent years, gone through periods marked by intense public anger, political uncertainty, and changes in government.
The Sri Lankan MP drew attention to a pattern of unrest seen across these countries. In Sri Lanka, the crisis erupted in 2022, when widespread public anger over economic collapse, shortages, and alleged corruption evolved into mass protests that eventually forced then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down. The upheaval fundamentally reshaped Sri Lanka’s political landscape and exposed the vulnerability of the region to sudden instability.
A similar trajectory unfolded in Bangladesh in 2024. What began as student-led protests against a controversial job quota system soon expanded into a broader movement against the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina. The protests escalated into widespread violence and unrest, eventually forcing Hasina to flee to India and paving the way for an interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus.
Nepal witnessed a comparable sequence of events the following year. Protests initially triggered by a social media ban imposed by the government quickly broadened into a wider movement against corruption and political misgovernance. The unrest culminated in the resignation of then-prime minister KP Sharma Oli and the country’s president, reinforcing Rajapaksa’s argument that South Asia is experiencing a recurring cycle of instability driven by public dissatisfaction.
Against this backdrop, Rajapaksa suggested that extremist elements may have exploited or intensified these crises, making the situation even more dangerous. He argued that confronting such challenges requires a shared commitment among South Asian nations to counter extremism, prevent political violence, and protect minority rights. In his view, no single country can effectively address these threats in isolation.
He emphasised that greater regional coherence is essential if South Asia is to withstand emerging crises and respond effectively to common challenges. Within this framework, Rajapaksa highlighted India’s leadership as central to maintaining long-term peace, stability, and security across the region. He argued that India’s active engagement could help anchor collective efforts to manage unrest and prevent future breakdowns in governance.
Rajapaksa’s reference to minority rights carries particular weight in the current context, especially given reports of rising attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. In recent weeks, there has been growing concern over incidents of violence against minority communities, alongside an increase in anti-India rhetoric within the country. These developments, he implied, further underline the need for regional vigilance and cooperation.
Looking ahead, Rajapaksa described the upcoming elections in Bangladesh and Nepal as critical moments for the region. He said these polls offer an opportunity to restore democratic legitimacy through free and fair elections, which in turn could strengthen regional security and political stability. According to him, credible electoral processes are essential for rebuilding public trust and preventing further unrest.
His call for India to assume a more prominent regional role also coincides with improving ties between New Delhi and Colombo. During Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis, India extended substantial financial assistance and credit lines. India also reinforced its reputation as a first responder by supporting search and rescue operations after Cyclone Ditwah last year and by announcing a USD 450 million assistance package to aid Sri Lanka’s reconstruction. Rajapaksa’s remarks suggest that such engagement could serve as a model for broader Indian leadership across South Asia.
