Sat May 10 09:52:34 UTC 2025: **India Poised to Lead South Asia’s Rise as Global Powerhouse, Says Sri Lanka’s Former President**

Bengaluru, India – May 10, 2025 – Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe envisions a powerful South Asia led by India, arguing that the region’s burgeoning population and economy will make it a global force. Speaking at The Hindu Huddle in Bengaluru, Wickremesinghe highlighted South Asia’s potential, with a projected population of 2.7 billion and a combined economy of $43 billion. He emphasized the importance of overcoming traditional mindsets to realize this vision, particularly given the presence of three nuclear powers within the region.

Wickremesinghe noted the shifting global geopolitical landscape, moving from a unipolar world to a potentially tripolar one by 2050, with the US, China, and India as major players. He stressed the significance of regionalism in a world where established global orders are being challenged. He acknowledged the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan but argued that economic development must continue despite such conflicts.

This vision was supported by T.S. Tirumurthi, former Indian Permanent Representative to the UN, who urged India to assume a more prominent geopolitical role beyond the subcontinent. He emphasized India’s need to become a net provider of prosperity and security for the region. Former National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan lauded the idea as the most significant he’d heard in a decade.

However, N. Ram, director of The Hindu Group, while expressing hope for Wickremesinghe’s vision, voiced concerns about democratic deficits, particularly within India, citing issues like attacks on states and intimidation of the media. The discussion took place during a session focusing on the emerging forces shaping subcontinental geopolitics at the fifth edition of The Hindu Huddle.

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