International Consultation explores emerging geopolitical reconfigurations and challenges to people’s security in South Asia
Colombo, Sri Lanka: Against the backdrop of shifting power dynamics, rising strategic security alliances, intensified economic and trade activities, and related challenges, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) organised an international consultation on “Emerging Geopolitical Reconfiguration in South Asia: Challenges to People’s Security and Peace with Justice,” which was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 13-14 March 2025.
Organised in conjunction with the World Council of Churches (WCC) Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity (PJRU) Reference Group Meeting, the consultation provided a unique platform for examining the geopolitical landscape of South Asia and its impact on peace and security. It also offered an opportunity for global ecumenical leaders to engage with South Asia’s pressing geopolitical realities.
The consultation brought together a diverse group of 40 participantss – scholars, religious leaders, journalists, civil society representatives, along with members of the WCC’s Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity Reference Group from different continents.
In the opening session, Bishop Nishantha Fernando, Chairperson of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) and Bishop of the Church of Ceylon, and Rev. Sujithar Sivanayagam, General Secretary of the NCCSL, welcomed the participants and extended greetings.
Rev. Karin van den Broeke, Co-Moderator of the WCC Reference Group from the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, expressed hope that the international consultation and the pilgrimage encounters in Sri Lanka would deepen their understanding of South Asian and Sri Lankan realities and help in shaping and advising the direction of the PJRU.
Dr Mathews George Chunakara, CCA General Secretary, set the foundation and framework for the consultation's objectives in his introductory remarks and welcome address.
The CCA General Secretary stated, “The consultation is a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of the contextual realities shaping South Asia. The emerging geopolitical trends in this subregion have far-reaching repercussions, extending beyond the region to the global stage as South Asia’s socio-economic and political contexts, along with the role and influences of external powers, affect peace and security in the region.”
Dr Mathews George Chunakara, who is also the moderator of WCC’s International Affairs Commission, welcomed the members of the WCC’s PJRU representing various churches and WCC Commissions, and said that the international consultation aimed to provide the reference group members with adequate background on South Asia’s geopolitical significance and the necessity for the ecumenical family in the global arena to address South Asia’s complexities.
Dr Chunakara further noted that it allowed members to contextualise the work of the reference group within a region that continues to navigate complex socio-political challenges.
Over the course of presentations throughout the day, the consultation highlighted how South Asia’s future will be shaped by strategic realignments, regional stability, and the interplay of major powers.
Dr Zahid Shahab Ahmed, a peace and security analyst and Associate Professor at the National Defense College in the United Arab Emirates, delivered the thematic address on “Emerging Geopolitical Reconfiguration in South Asia: Challenges to People’s Security and Peace with Justice.” He explored the historical developments in the region, key contemporary issues, including the strategic rivalry between India and China and its implications for security, trade, and diplomacy.
Dr Ahmed stated, “South Asia’s future will be shaped by strategic alignments and a focus on regional stability. The increasing influence of China and its competition with India will continue to be a defining factor in the region’s geopolitics.”
However, he cautioned that the rise of nationalism in several South Asian states could hinder regional cooperation, affecting trade agreements, diplomatic engagements, and security partnerships. He remarked, “Cooperation, economic integration, and strong security frameworks are essential for regional stability and long-term growth in the region.”
Country-specific insights through panel presentations from experts from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka revealed both unique and interconnected challenges.
Md Muktadir Rashid, a Bangladeshi journalist and researcher specialising in Islamist extremism, security, and human rights, reflected on Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape, highlighting opposition to the country’s long-term rule by certain political parties and the role of youth-led movements in democratic reforms. He echoed the Bangladeshi people’s desire for change and a new era that brings stability to the nation.
Shreya Gautam, a young lawyer from Nepal with expertise in legal research, advocacy, and community engagement, addressed Nepal’s struggle to balance ties with China and India while tackling climate vulnerabilities and youth unemployment.
Looking more closely at Pakistan, Dr Zahid Shahab Ahmed highlighted key challenges facing Pakistan today, including political instability, corruption, economic dependency on foreign loans and aid, and social inequalities across its provinces.
Dr Mathews George Chunakara, an international affairs commentator, analysed India’s diplomatic strategies and its complex relationships with neighbouring states amidst external interventions in the region for strategic and economic interests—particularly the strategic power struggles of nuclear-armed neighbours like Pakistan and China—and its ambitious plans to establish itself as a great power on the global stage.
Shedding light on emerging trends in Sri Lanka, former Member of Parliament and distinguished President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran provided a critical overview of the country’s domestic political and economic crises. On an encouraging note, he observed that while religious extremism has gained traction in other parts of the region, it has not taken root in Sri Lanka to the same extent, with existing safeguards still holding.
Dr Ramindu Perera, a senior lecturer in the Department of Legal Studies at the Open University Law Faculty, examined Sri Lanka’s foreign policy choices in an increasingly polarised world and explored how its neighbours and other international actors respond to the island nation’s policies.
A central theme of the consultation was the role of faith communities in addressing security threats and shrinking civic spaces. The panel discussion on “Rise of Religious Extremism in South Asia and its Impact on People’s Security” highlighted the growing vulnerabilities of minority communities and the erosion of their fundamental freedoms in the region. Speakers, including Javid Yusuf, Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Rev. Dr Abraham Mathew (India), Rev. Romella Robinson (Pakistan), and Christopher Adhikari (Bangladesh), emphasised the urgency of interfaith solidarity to counter intolerance and violence, as well as the dangers of exploiting religious differences for political gain.
The consultation also explored how global powers shape South Asia’s security policies and economic engagements. In the session “External Interventions in South Asian Countries and Security Challenges – Role of the USA, China, and India,” Tyrol Ferdinands, a veteran advocate for justice, peace, and conflict transformation in Sri Lanka, examined the roles of the United States, China, and India in influencing regional stability and strategic decisions. He discussed the shifting perception of the USA’s reliability in contrast to China’s consistent presence and India’s looming proximity to Sri Lanka. He supplemented his presentation with details on external state interventions in Sri Lanka and the region.
The final session of the international consultation was on “Moving Beyond Conflicts: Interfaith and Ecumenical Responses to Crisis Situations” and it highlighted the importance of and need for interfaith dialogue in conflict resolution and social harmony in South Asia. The panel presentation featured Venerable Galkande Dhammananda Thero, an internationally recognised Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka - a scholar and strong advocate for peace and reconciliation - who urged the use of nonviolence and of coexistence through Buddhist philosophy.
Rev. A Joshuva Peter, Executive Secretary of the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India (UELCI), and a member of WCC Central Committee, shared insights from his experience of active involvement in interfaith engagement, particularly with the QuoVadis Interfaith Dialogue Center in Tiruvannamalai. This significant Shaivite Hindu religious centre in South Tamil Nadu has been a key platform for fostering conversations on religious harmony and mutual understanding.
Rev. Ebenezer Joseph, former General Secretary of NCCSL and ecumenical stalwart from Sri Lanka, closed the session with acknowledgement of the need for sustained engagement on geopolitical issues within ecumenical and faith-based communities, highlighting that this international consultation marked a step forward in aligning ecumenical efforts with the region’s evolving realities, reaffirming the church’s role in promoting a just and peaceful future.
Rt Rev. Dhiloraj Canagasabey, former moderator of CCA; Rev. David Nigel Perry Brohier, CCA Executive Committee member; Douglas L. Chial, Director, Office of the WCC General Secretariat; Rev. Dr. Hyo-Jin Kim of WCC; and Navya Dinah Saji of CCA facilitated panel presentation sessions and morning worship services.
