The “Hands Off Asia” assembly in Colombo, convened by the International Peoples’ Assembly and Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, argues that Asian sovereignty in the 21st century requires independence from international debt, digital ecosystems, and military bases. According to speakers at the event, including former Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, true sovereignty now spans finance, technology, data, and defense rather than just national flags.
Techno-Imperialism and the Shift in Global Power
Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ described a transition from a unipolar monopoly to a multipolar opening. While he noted that direct political domination has receded, he argued that new mechanisms of control have taken its place.
Prachanda identified this as “techno-imperialism,” where power is exercised through the fourth industrial revolution. This includes algorithmic appropriation and control via digital ecosystems and financial dependence. He stated that information warfare is now a daily reality for many nations.
Did you know? According to Vijay Prashad of Tricontinental, there are over 900 military bases worldwide, with more than 400 located in Asia. Japan hosts the largest concentration of these bases.
Structural Dependence vs. Political Independence
Sri Lanka’s Environment Minister, Dr. Dammika Patabendi, used his own country’s recent sovereign default and social unrest as a case study. He argued that political independence—simply changing a government or a flag—does not automatically deliver actual independence.
Patabendi claimed that “structural dependence survives the transfer of flags.” For him, a sovereign path requires the freedom to formulate independent economic policy and direct national resources toward development without external vetoes. He advocated for a “socialist horizon” that emphasizes technological equality and popular participation in governance.
Comparison of Sovereignty Models
| Traditional Sovereignty | Integrated Sovereignty (Hands Off Asia) |
|---|---|
| UN seat and national flag | Control over data and digital ecosystems |
| Diplomatic recognition | Freedom from IMF conditionalities and debt |
| Border control | Independence from foreign military bases |
Class Struggle Masked as Generational Revolt
Vijay Prashad of Tricontinental challenged the mainstream media’s framing of youth protests across Asia. He argued that revolts driven by gig precarity, joblessness, and environmental destruction are “class rebellion camouflaged as a generational one.”
Prashad warned that labeling these as “Gen Z movements” is a political operation. He urged the left to organize within these movements to prevent them from being co-opted by domestic bourgeois forces or imperialist powers. He emphasized that left governments must use the state to build “social power” and rebuild productive capacity rather than focusing solely on redistribution.
Pro Tip: When analyzing regional instability, look beyond the surface political rhetoric. According to the assembly’s framework, the “lattice of debt service” and structural adjustments often dictate the actual policy limits of an elected government.
The Economic Demand for ‘Hands Off Asia’
The “Hands Off Asia” movement is framed not only as a military demand but as a financial one. According to Prashad, the goal is to eliminate “rating-agency vetoes,” dollar dependence, and sanctions.
He cited Iran’s recent resistance in an “illegal war” as a lesson for East Asia, suggesting that foreign military bases can become targets rather than shields. The assembly concluded that the greatness of a nation should be measured by the absence of starvation rather than the wealth of its owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “techno-imperialism”?
According to Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, it is the exercise of control through digital ecosystems, data, and algorithmic appropriation during the fourth industrial revolution.
Why does the “Hands Off Asia” movement focus on debt?
The movement argues that debt and IMF conditionalities act as a “lattice” that destabilizes governments attempting to end hunger or pursue independent economic policies.
What is the difference between political and structural independence?
As stated by Dr. Dammika Patabendi, political independence is the change of government, while structural independence is the actual ability to control national resources and economic policy.
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