India can't take promises made to new Lanka govt for granted: policy expert

There is concern especially among urban and upper-income voters that a return to the Rajapaksas will also mean curtailing of civic rights and growing authoritarianism, says Constantino Xavier

Constantino Xavier, fellow, foreign policy, Brookings India tells Aditi Phadnis, Sri Lanka's new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be a realist in his foreign policy, delivery on promises made by New Delhi will be central to India-Sri Lanka relations. Edited excerpts:

How do you see the outcome of the presidential elections in Sri Lanka impacting domestic politics in Sri Lanka?

The result reflects a return to the majoritarian Sinhala current that emerges cyclically in Sri Lanka, beginning with the election of SWRD Bandaranaike, in 1956. Except for Mahinda Rajapaksa’s resounding victory of 2010, the last president to be elected with a