As a tiny island nation at the tip of a large subcontinent, Sri Lanka has long struggled to counterbalance its powerful northern neighbor, India . This often means bringing in powers from outside of the region, so it can fulfill its economic and security needs without having to bend to India's will. Fortunately for Sri Lanka, the country has an advantage that other Indian peripheral states, such as Nepal , do not: an enticing position along lucrative and strategic Indian Ocean maritime routes. Thus, it makes sense that recent geopolitical tussles over Sri Lanka between rivals India and China have focused on the construction of ports along these valued routes. India's concerns on this matter are partly warranted. China is a budding regional power in the process of translating its economic heft into military might.