Geopolitics experts call for Global South to lead push for lasting Middle East peace

Sri Lanka's policy of neutrality in the ongoing Middle East conflict reflects both principle and pragmatism, while positioning the country to play a wider diplomatic role, the Asian Geopolitics Sustainability and Peace Council has said in a statement.

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In the statement signed by Prof Mohan Munasinghe and Sugiswara Senadheera, the Council noted that Sri Lanka has maintained a firm stance of nonalignment, refusing to allow its territory to be used against any state while continuing to meet humanitarian obligations. It cited an instance in which Sri Lanka declined a request from the United States to provide refuelling access for warplanes.

Full text of the statement: Sri Lanka is maintaining strict neutrality in the middle east conflict, while preventing its territory from being used against any other state, and fulfilling humanitarian obligations. When one of the belligerents, the US, requested refuelling rights for its warplanes, Sri Lanka refused. When an Iranian vessel was sunk within our maritime economic zone, it was the small Sri Lankan navy which rescued a large number of sailors and brought them for treatment in our hospitals. This is not a passive stance; it is both principled and pragmatic, while building the foundation for further potential diplomatic initiatives

Sri Lanka’s demonstrated neutrality presents an opportunity. Instead of being merely a bystander to great power rivalry, Sri Lanka could revive its historic diplomatic tradition and help mobilise a coalition of neutral nations from the Global South to push for peace.