Sri Lanka's Leverage Against India

Editor's Note: This is the second installment of a two-part series on the strategically located island nation of Sri Lanka. Click here for Part 1.

After defeating the Tamil Tigers in 2009, the central Sri Lankan government gained control of the entire island for the first time in decades. Colombo plans to use this consolidation to begin capitalizing on Sri Lanka's economic resources, including ports, and build relations with outside patrons. Powerful countries, including China, are interested in partnerships with Sri Lanka — a fact that Colombo can use as leverage in its dealings with India.