The China–Sri Lanka Readers Forum on Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (Volume V) took place in Colombo on 3rd.
“If China and India can come together, that would benefit both regional and global peace. Bringing these two major developing economies closer will have a profoundly positive impact on countries within this region and around the world. I sincerely hope this current thaw in relations continues.”
COLOMBO, July 5 (Ceylonese) — Ahmed A. Jawad, former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Director of the Pathfinder Foundation, warned that simmering tensions across the Middle East pose dual economic risks for crisis-hit small nations like Sri Lanka, while voicing optimism over warming ties between China and India and calling for trilateral cooperation in the island nation.
In an exclusive interview, Jawad outlined Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to regional conflict, discussed prospects for green energy cooperation with China, weighed in on the BRICS bloc, and advocated for deeper engagement between Asia’s two largest developing economies.
Ceylonese: What impact does the current insecurity and conflict in the Middle East have on Sri Lanka, beyond broader geopolitics?
Ahmed A. Jawad: The economic fallout comes in two major ways. First, we have hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan expatriate workers across the Middle East, sending home roughly $600 million each year in remittances — a vital source of foreign exchange for our country.
I previously served as Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia. For generations, Sri Lankans could build lifelong careers there, working for thirty or forty years. But the current tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran have spread uncertainty across the entire region. Many of our migrant workers are now questioning their long-term job security.
There is widespread anxiety, and we hope the situation stabilises quickly so they can continue their livelihoods.
Second, there is the acute risk from rising global oil prices. Sri Lanka’s economy remains fragile. Higher oil costs push up the cost of living across the board, compounding our existing economic difficulties. We are hoping oil markets calm and prices become stable.
Ceylonese: Against this backdrop, do you see developing green energy as a national priority for Sri Lanka?
Ahmed A. Jawad: It is extremely important. This is an area where there is enormous scope for cooperation between Sri Lanka and China. Even during my diplomatic posting, we began exploring alternative energy partnerships with China, and today that engagement has scaled up significantly. China has advanced technological capabilities in renewable energy.
As I noted in a recent speech, Sri Lanka and China maintain an all-weather partnership with very warm bilateral ties. I am confident that if we formalise requests for technical assistance, the Chinese government will support Sri Lanka to develop our domestic green energy capacity.
Ceylonese: The upcoming BRICS summit is seen as a major gathering for China, India, Russia and Brazil. What opportunities does BRICS hold for Sri Lanka?
Ahmed A. Jawad: BRICS brings together many of the world’s major emerging economies, with huge potential to deliver benefits for member states.
Sri Lanka sits along one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes. While we are not a BRICS member, we stand to gain positive spillover effects as these large economies coordinate more closely. Our neighbour India plays an important role within BRICS, and the bloc’s collective development will generate residual advantages for countries like Sri Lanka.
At the Pathfinder Foundation, we are also pushing to improve connectivity between Sri Lanka and India. We have observed encouraging signs of better relations between China and India in recent months. Our foundation is running a Track Two diplomatic initiative designed to strengthen China–India ties. I believe this process can deliver benefits not just to Sri Lanka, but to bilateral relations between Beijing and New Delhi themselves.
Ceylonese: Could you elaborate on your vision for China–India engagement, possibly through projects hosted in Sri Lanka?
Ahmed A. Jawad: India is our closest neighbour, and we maintain excellent bilateral relations. Good relations with neighbours are indispensable. Similarly, as I mentioned earlier, we enjoy very warm ties with China.
The Pathfinder Foundation has identified multiple sectors where China and India could collaborate on joint projects here in Sri Lanka. This model could create genuine win-win outcomes for all three parties.
If China and India can come together, it will strengthen both regional peace and global peace. When these two major developing economies align, the positive ripple effects will be felt across our region and the entire world. I sincerely hope this ongoing thaw in bilateral relations continues, for the benefit of the two nations and humanity at large.