Sri Lanka, Aug. 13 -- Sri Lanka is a small country in India's neighbourhood, whereas New Zealand is similarly positioned in Australia's neighbourhood. Sri Lanka is not New Zealand and Australia is not India. Then, what does it mean for a small country to be positioned in close proximity to a major economic powerhouse? What does New Zealand's experience with Australia offer for Sri Lanka in this case?

According to New Zealand's High Commissioner David Pine, the key lesson from New Zealand's experience with Australia is that successful integration with a larger neighbour comes not from resisting economic change, but from actively shaping it.

The High Commissioner made such remarks in an address at the event 'India Calling', organised b...