Namal Rajapaksa Appeals to India to Strengthen Regional Cooperation Amid South Asia’s Political Turmoil

Colombo: Namal Rajapaksa, son of former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and current Member of Parliament, has called on India to play a pivotal role in enhancing regional cooperation in South Asia. Highlighting recent political crises in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, Namal emphasized the need for collective action to address shared security and political challenges.

Namal, who is the de facto head of Sri Lanka’s second-largest party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, posted his views on social media platform X. He wrote: “Amid multiple global security developments, there is an increasing and urgent need for stronger regional cooperation in South Asia, in which India can play a key role. In recent years, political upheaval in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka has seen public unrest and changes in government. Extremist elements have at times exploited these disturbances, underlining the need for collective commitment to counter extremism, prevent political violence, and protect minority rights.”

Emphasis on South Asian Coordination

He further stated: “South Asia needs enhanced regional coordination to confront emerging crises and respond collectively to shared challenges. In this context, India’s leadership is crucial to maintaining long-term peace and stability in the region. By pursuing common goals centered on development and stability, South Asia can exert greater influence internationally. Free and fair elections in Bangladesh and Nepal offer hopeful opportunities to reinforce democratic legitimacy and contribute to regional security.”

Recent Political Upheavals in South Asia

Namal Rajapaksa’s remarks come against the backdrop of significant political turbulence across the region. In Sri Lanka, the 2022 economic crisis triggered mass protests, forcing then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Namal’s uncle, to flee the country and effectively ending Mahinda Rajapaksa’s political career. Bangladesh has experienced ongoing protests since 2024, resulting in the departure of Sheikh Hasina and the rise of Muhammad Yunus’s interim government. Nepal, too, faced widespread civil unrest in 2025, leading to the resignation of KP Sharma Oli’s government.

Through his statement, Namal Rajapaksa has highlighted the urgent need for India’s diplomatic and strategic leadership to stabilize South Asia and foster greater regional cooperation.