New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- Recent geopolitical, security and trade tensions between powerful nations accelerated the 'de-globalization' momentum marked by a shift from rapid trade integration toward protectionism, economic nationalism, and fragmented supply chains. Global trade and investment are being reorganized around national security and resilience, regionalization and "friend-shoring", rather than cost-driven integration.

Small and developing countries like Sri Lanka face significant and disproportionate challenges from de-globalization. These challenges include suppressed economic growth, increased vulnerability to external shocks, and reduced influence in global decision-making. Sri Lanka's trade dependency, stagnant foreign inflows, ...