“America has no permanent friends or enemies - only interests”- Henry Kissinger
Foreign policy is the set of rules or practices followed by a nation as a member of the global forum linked by the UN today as guidelines to international organisations and member states.
This is the simplest definition in addition to detailed academic definitions.
The set of rules could be written, direct and indirect or in the form of speeches or declarations of the Head of the State, generally the formulator of the policy implemented by the Foreign Minister or the group of Ministers. In any event, any state enters into agreements, conventions and treaties which are part and parcel of foreign policy.
Some countries give special attention and emphasises on foreign policy and some are not.
The USA, the UK, the Russian Federation and China are some countries giving priority to foreign policy and sensitive to the foreign policies of other countries may be due to their interests in other countries and their policies.
One of the first duties of the new USA President was to revamp, reform and reactivate the foreign policy of USA, in line with his policies on other countries, especially in dealing with the rest of the world and other nations by taking a complete U-turn from that of the policies of the predecessor on human rights and war.
He put the foreign policy in order as has been done by his predecessors which has a bearing on Sri Lanka and the Geneva process.
Member nations today are giving top priority to economy connecting directly to the foreign policy giving full power and responsibility to the network of Ambassadors who are guided and trained on promoting the economy and financial needs of respective countries, giving targets and strict guidelines.
Unfortunately, this trend has no ripple effect on our network of Ambassadors around the globe enjoying huge perks at the cost of the taxpayer, and the cradle of the network of the representatives of the country expected to showcase the country to the world, which is so easy as Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with human resources, water in abundance and excellent climatic conditions unparalleled as an ideal tourist destination.
Foreign policy is the strategy and the future line of action of a nation on other nations and the world at large is a broader definition in terms of economy, defence, and all other areas which are so important and sensitive to the world over.
This brief explanation shows how important it is for a country such as Sri Lanka, desperately in need of good friends and backers, considering the weak economic structure deteriorating gradually in need of FDIs, and other economic backings including the goodwill of friends in need when the economy is in bad shape, debt riddled and in need of foreign reserves when facing the Covid- 19 crisis, just next to India, one of the most affected countries.
No nation can live in isolation in the new world interconnected digitally with physical barriers not taken seriously when interrelations and interconnections are essential for all for existence showing that a foreign policy is a necessity for a nation connected to other countries through the network of the United Nations.
The statement of Henry Kissinger may apply to many countries as the interest of any nation is their own country being given top priority, which is a reality all the other states to remember.
This is a classic example and a lesson for those countries which are aligned to groups or cliques based on various considerations.
There are theories and pronouncements and suggestions on look Asia, India first, Asia first, and Sri Lanka first etc., from various sources without the direct attention of the Head of the State, the formulator and creator of the policy.
Leaders and governance of any country consists of human beings with human weaknesses when the human qualities are suppressed with power, due to greed and pride.
The Kissinger’s quotation indicates how selfish they are as any other human being vested with power! It is the interests of the country that matters other than other considerations for a member of the nations in the world family too.
Foreign policy and Covid-19 pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the world the need to be ‘’friendly with all and angry with none,’’ the main motto of Sri Lankan foreign policy.
Indian foreign policy is one of the most professional, advanced and sophisticated - yet it has not been able to attract friends in the world despite being in the need of friends.
We watch what is happening in India with utmost sadness helplessly watching the TV footages which are worrying.
We have now forgotten all previous issues and enmities during this pandemic when all are in danger (reminder of the story of Cobra and Mongoose- arch enemies- clinging into the same piece of wood during floods until it reaches a land for protection- a famous village adage) awaiting for the worst to come.
The entire world including world powers are engulfed in the worst stages of the pandemic with the highest number of deaths and disasters expecting not to reach the worst.
It may be that the world may rethink on a new way forward for foreign policy formations and applications the way the UN was formed in place of League of Nations after the disastrous Second World War with so many killings and disasters.
It is our wishful prayer that the pandemic will not override the Second World War but unfortunately the signals that we receive seems to be unsatisfactory and dangerous.
Therefore, this is the best era to extend loving kindness, sympathy and “Mettha’’ to all nations by the rich and powerful, especially to those poor and unfortunate nations who have still not received a single dose of vaccination when some powerful and rich nations have excess vaccinations that are about to expire.
The whole world population is expecting and wishing for a new chapter on foreign policy for a new world foreign policy order. There is no expectations to see to an end the pandemic in the near future and we will have to live with it for a considerable unknown period of time.
This is the time you will find the friends in need, in this disaster when everybody is going through the misery. Apart from the World Health Organization (WHO) it is only China who came forward to help us followed by financial aid from Korea and vaccinations from India.
Unfortunately, India has her own problems and is unable to give us the promised second vaccination which is understandable under the circumstances.
The situation on the pandemic is unchanged and escalating worldwide like a wildfire.
There appears to be no immediate end to the pandemic and the world is compelled to live with it for a considerable period of time.
Foreign policy, human rights and the United Nations are interwoven and interconnected. The Charter of the United Nations was brought in to reaffirm fundamental and human rights to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war which twice in a lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.
The United Nations is the link and the centre of the human rights mechanism managed and monitored by a number of conventions and instruments.
The Human Rights Commission and the Committee, which are by-products of the legislation which has certain powers and duties in monitoring the human rights of member nations alleged to be in violation of human rights.
It is alleged that there were human rights violations during the last phase of the thirty-year battle against terrorism in Sri Lanka that fortunately ended in May 2009 with relief to the entire SAARC Region and the world in annihilation of the most ruthless and feared terrorist outfit in the world as said by the USA and other international organisations.
At the 47-member Council in the UN 22 voted in favour, 11 opposed, 14 abstained on the resolution of deep concern on the human right situation in Sri Lanka.
It is noted with concern that our immediate neighbour India and close friend Nepal abstained without voting in favour of Sri Lanka, reminding us of the theories on foreign policies of nations and the impact on world affairs which are so important.
It seems that we have to rethink, reform and readjust our foreign policy for our benefit since it is to be considered seriously and to be taken care of. Even though the Human Rights Council has no power of implementation of suggestions, its impact is to be considered seriously in making recommendations to the General Assembly and the Security Council despite sovereignty Sri Lanka maintains under the UN Convention.
The United Kingdom initiated the resolution against Sri Lanka with Canada in the forefront and contemplating a resolution namely Genocide Education Resolution Bill No, 104, which is worrying and affects the friendly relations between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardene has had a meeting with the Canadian Ambassador on the issue and it is doubtful that the initiators will abandon the moves.
Adding to the injury, Sri Lanka has still not appointed High Commissioners for India (one year) and Canada which are supposed to be crucial stations, and one wonders whether Sri Lanka lacks top qualified personalities, suitable to be Ambassadors to represent the nation.
It is time the Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka takes care of the matter with the backing and strength of its enormous staff and funds available with all facilities.
Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka
The Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka is a well-funded independent body which is headed by a powerful highly connected former Minister who does not seem to be active and remains inert at this crucial juncture when he should be in the forefront defending and promoting Sri Lanka in the Geneva process.
The only book that was published on this area is the “Geneva Crisis - the way forward” by the the Ambassadors’
Forum assisted by Sri Lankan international bodies including the London Initiative.
The Geneva issue is brewing and the second and third wave on the way is going to be dangerous, and it is time for the Minister and Ministry to act fast with the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission to defend and promote Sri Lanka. The Commission should be proactive and live up to the expectations and the facilities given including enormous local and foreign funds. SAARC, ASEAN, BIMSTIC, and regional and international organisations and foreign policy
Sri Lanka is a member of the above and many other regional, and international organisations as an active and senior member of the United Nations playing a pivotal role in international affairs that need promotion of Sri Lanka in areas of national and international interest.
Regional groupings are important and forms an integral part of the foreign policy making on regional basis when the UN deals internationally.
SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was established aiming to be another EU in Asia, died a natural death due the enmity between India and Pakistan, giving birth to BIMSTEC with another group of Asian countries, whilst ASEAN was active with another vibrant group with different intentions organising world stage meetings to face the competition of the west.
All the groups are worst hit with India most effected with no joint and cooperative efforts to meet the main challenge of Covid-19 which is a main drawback. International and regional relations should play a more important and active role in these matters.
Historical aspects of foreign policy
Foreign policy is a part of history and interactions of the rulers with other nations in the past. We are supposed to have a written history of over 2500 years, and unwritten over 5000 or more with legends such as Rama and “Ravana’’ substantiated with Asian history which cannot be ruled out and among the written is the arrival of “Arahath Mahinda” as an Emissary of his father King Asoka, a most powerful King who sent his son and daughter to Sri Lanka in the 3rd Century BC to propagate Buddhism.
Chinese Monk ‘’Fa-Hsian’’ visited Sri Lanka in 426 BC with other monks and developed close relations with the King and monks (Sangha) in Sri Lanka and wrote extensively on Buddhism and Sri Lanka.
In BC22-7 AD during the reign of Emperor Claudius of Rome, Ambassadors were exchanged with Sri Lanka and there are records in Rome showing the historical prints on developments of foreign policy with Sri Lanka and many countries, in Rome, the Middle East, China and India.
Pre and post-colonial era’s agreements were entered into with foreign posers and Sri Lankan rulers until in 1815 when the British entered into the ‘’Kandyan Convention’’ with some Kandyan leaders and surrendering the sovereignty to the British until it was regained in 1948.
Ambassadors are the forerunners of any nation implementing and promoting the country they represent based on the foreign policy and directives, and are learned active men of honour promoting trade, investments, and policies of the country they represent to the word over, assisting the leader of the country and the leader they represent.
In Sri Lanka, Ambassadors in many countries appear to be active and at times overdoing and reacting in crucial matters but do not appear to be active at the times of need such as defending the malicious propaganda against Sri Lanka especially on the Geneva issue. We do not hear of any documents, webinars or articles by our Ambassadors in defending and promoting the country which is expected of them.
Are they promoting the country and the policies defending the nation are questions raised by the concerned citizens and students of international relations worldwide.
It is agreed that they should be more proactive and forthwith with other Ambassadors worldwide.
Way forward to save the nation
We are in a grave danger in all areas, especially on the pandemic front. It is the duty of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the able and energetic State Minister to consider the issue more seriously and draw up a plan to mobilise the Ambassadors, the able Ministry staff and the international organisations such as the London Initiative to help mainly on the Geneva Process.
It is the duty of professionals and likeminded concerned persons worldwide to rally round the Minister and the Ministry in the fight against Covid-19 and helping Sri Lanka.
The economy is in bad shape and it is time to give priority to economic diplomacy and open a separate desk in all embassies for economic promotions including tourism, exports and agriculture, and learn from success stories of our colleagues and apply those to our country.
It is also a good idea for the Ambassador of the host country to be responsible for all governmental institutions in the country they represent.
Israel has successfully clamped down on the pandemic menace and our relations with Israel are excellent, and they are awaiting to help us.
The current Prime Minister of Israel and the former President of Sri Lanka met each other and discussed matters of mutual benefits and interests given rise to main developments.
We have close diplomatic relations with Israel, and it is a matter of initiatives to go forward for the benefit of all.
There are other success stories and our representatives by now may have reported them to the Minister.
Other areas we can work in cooperation with Israel is agriculture where they are the leaders in the subject advising even world powers, on drip irrigation, seeds and fertiliser related matters. China is always a friend helping us over thousands of years, and others need not be ruled out such as India and even the West.
A joint effort is required with the cooperation of the world body UN, all small and major powers, and international organisations to launch a consolidated joint effort as human beings taking our giant neighbour as an example of mismanaging the situation (including Sri Lanka).
It seems we have to give top priority to fight the Covid-19 menace as the indications are that it is going to take a long period for a complete clampdown with dangers of new variants based on the behaviour of unseen danger Covid-19 growing faster and steadily.
Foreign policy and relations play a pivotal role in harnessing the efforts and resources of the world community in combating the menace with most stringent rules which obviously should have been implemented before as now things are dangerously escalating, that being the language some Sri Lankans will understand.
Even in this period of uncertainty and danger, we must sit and relax to educate ourselves on a new life and a vision of a new roadmap for foreign policy based on mistakes made and future plans on all aspects of governance. The Foreign Minister and the State Minister has the responsibility and a pivotal role in mobilising the Ambassadors in the fight against Covid-19 using the good will and good offices of Ambassadors to gather assistance for Sri Lankans in respective countries to fight the pandemic that is fast spreading.
Sri Lankans worldwide especially in the UK, the USA, Europe and other powerful countries and international organisations are eagerly awaiting to help with the invitation of the leadership to the Sri Lankans overseas, and other groups, and it is time the two Ministers and the Ministry give the necessary leadership, whilst discussing with the President and the Prime Minister new strategies, foundations and roadmaps for a Sri Lanka friendly foreign policy as suggested in the five volumes on foreign policy books published by the Ambassadors’ Forum.
President’s Counsel, former Ambassador to UAE and Israel and President, Ambassadors’ Forum