by Luxman Aravind
Hours after escaping death, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, told the media, “I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal. I beseech the people of my land, ‘Please do not be manipulated by radicals,'” the Economic Times quoted her as saying. These words expose a chilling truth that rarely finds its way into the mainstream narrative: the US is playing a dangerous game of political chess in South Asia, systematically undermining sovereignty under the guise of democracy promotion and regional stability. The shadow of Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, looms large in this web of interference, with his recent actions creating a ripple effect that threatens the entire region.
Donald Lu has played a significant role in shaping the course of political events in Central Asia. He is none other than a character akin to the infamous Victoria Nuland, a person with blood on her hands. Rather than pursuing a policy of non-intervention, Lu has been accused of instigating what can only be described as a “colour revolution,” manipulating political unrest to serve American interests. This interference has been particularly evident in countries like Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, where support for opposition groups and anti-government movements has been linked to Lu’s efforts, all under the guise of promoting democratic reform.
Critics argue that Lu’s involvement goes beyond merely promoting freedom and democracy. It appears to be a calculated effort to reshape the political dynamics in the region to align more closely with US strategic objectives. The so-called “colour revolutions” are often presented to the public as spontaneous uprisings against corrupt or authoritarian governments. However, the reality is that they are frequently instigated by foreign powers, with the US playing a key role. By encouraging political destabilisation and providing covert backing to opposition groups, Lu’s actions have contributed to an environment of uncertainty, fostering chaos that ultimately benefits Western geopolitical ambitions.
Lu’s latest visit to Sri Lanka, scheduled for 5 December, is but the latest in a string of diplomatic manoeuvres aimed at reinforcing America’s control over South Asia. His mission, framed as a support for governance reforms and anti-corruption initiatives, is steeped in the subtext of US influence that goes beyond aid and reform. The situation in Sri Lanka, in the aftermath of its economic collapse, presents a fertile ground for American intervention. With Sri Lanka’s political stability hanging by a thread, Washington is positioning itself as the saviour, offering assistance in exchange for political compliance, ensuring that the island nation aligns itself with US interests in the face of rising Chinese influence. But this aid is not without strings attached: the US is seeking to control Sri Lanka’s governance, especially with its naval base access and broader strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean. This creates a tension that reverberates not only in Sri Lanka but across the entire South Asian region, particularly with India.
The growing US influence in South Asia is creating a geopolitical environment that is becoming increasingly hostile to India. For decades, India has been the dominant power in the region, with its strategic interests tightly bound to the sovereignty and stability of its neighbouring states. But the US’s actions in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal are systematically eroding this equilibrium, often pushing these nations into a closer embrace with Washington at the expense of India’s influence. Donald Lu’s interventions, in particular, have sparked growing fears that Washington is actively trying to undermine India’s regional standing by fueling instability and political upheaval in countries with which India has historical ties. From his controversial role in Bangladesh, where he is believed to have played a part in destabilising Sheikh Hasina’s government, to his recent diplomatic ventures in Sri Lanka, the US seems intent on reshaping the region’s power structure—and India is clearly in its sights.
The growing tension between the US and India is becoming impossible to ignore. India, a rising global power and an important player in the Indo-Pacific region, has long been wary of US interventions in its neighbouring countries, seeing them as attempts to limit India’s regional influence and undermine its geopolitical clout. With Sri Lanka increasingly turning to the US for economic assistance and Bangladesh’s political instability intensifying under the shadow of American influence, India finds itself facing a hostile situation—one where its neighbours, traditionally seen as part of its sphere of influence, are now being courted by Washington. This trend has the potential to create a broad regional realignment, in which countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, instead of aligning with India’s interests, may choose to forge stronger ties with the US, pulling them away from India’s strategic orbit.
The Indian Ocean—vital for global trade, military strategy, and energy routes—is increasingly becoming a flashpoint. The US, seeking to contain China’s growing influence, has turned its attention to South Asia, with the Bay of Bengal and its littoral states becoming critical to its Indo-Pacific strategy. For India, this is a direct threat to its regional hegemony. The US’s encroachment into countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is not just about economic assistance; it is part of a broader strategy to challenge India’s influence and create an environment where India’s geopolitical power is gradually diluted. The presence of US military and diplomatic missions, combined with economic pressures, is turning what were once friendly neighbours into pawns in the larger US-China geopolitical game.
Sri Lanka, already caught between these two giants, is finding itself at a crossroads. With China’s Belt and Road Initiative pushing hard to secure strategic infrastructure in Sri Lanka and India’s longstanding influence in the region being challenged by the US’s growing presence, the island nation’s dominance is at risk. The United States, under the guise of helping Sri Lanka recover from its economic crises, is pushing for reforms that align the nation more closely with Washington’s strategic agenda. The promises of aid and development come with heavy political strings attached, with Washington keen to entrench its influence in Sri Lanka at the cost of India’s longstanding ties with the island.
The situation is equally delicate in Bangladesh, where Donald Lu’s actions have been the subject of much debate. The US’s interference in the country’s domestic politics, particularly during and after the 2024 elections, has raised concerns about Washington’s willingness to destabilise democratically elected governments if they do not align with its interests. The ousting of Sheikh Hasina, as she hinted, would have come at the cost of sacrificing sovereignty—a chilling reminder of how America’s geopolitical ambitions can undermine the integrity of sovereign nations in the name of democracy and stability.
