China would remain a major player in terms of investment in Sri Lanka with its 'deep pocket' even as India continues working with the island nation keeping its importance in mind, an expert feels.
The island nation has a huge strategic importance for both India and China. The trade and security reasons make it very significant for both the neighboring countries, and these very issues make it very attractive for India and China.
"It's important for both for trade and security reasons," Professor Swaran Singh told Sputnik India.
He, however, said some of the mega projects of China in Sri Lanka are not commercially viable and that speaks in favor of India.
"Also the fact that the Sri Lankan government wants to milk both the nations would always provide an opportunity for India to remain engaged with the strategically important country in its immediate neighborhood," Singh added.
Commenting on if India should be worried about China investing more in Sri Lanka than India, the Professor said it would not be correct to say so as the Sri Lankan government would always want investments from both.
"...saying if India should be worried about China investing more in Sri Lanka, would not be correct. Instead we can say India should be cautious, aware and awake as China gets closer to Sri Lanka," he said.
The professor, however, said India should be careful with its investment policy and invest, as and when it has to, prioritizing its own interests. He said India getting cautious with China's increasing influence in the neighborhood is well understood given the kind of relations it shares with the red dragon.
On what India has to offer to Sri Lanka, the professor said India has been helping Sri Lanka for a long time and the projects and whatever work India has done in the island nation has been productive and useful for the overall development there.
"Work done there, speaks for India as it has been viable," he said.