Significantly, Sri Lanka has pledged to India that its soil would never be used against the security interests of India. Reiterating this, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka during a joint statement today has further cemented Colombo’s commitment towards New Delhi.
This assurance by the Sri Lankan government has come at a time when the growing presence of China in the Indian Ocean region has emerged as a major concern for the entire world. China has been pursuing its ‘Mission Indian Ocean’ with great vigor, which directly impinges on the strategic interests of India.
After Sri Lanka’s failure to service its debts, China has taken over the Hambantota Port and is using it as a base for its naval surveillance and spy vessels. Most notably, the Chinese satellite and ballistic missile tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 has been docking multiple times at Hambantota over the last couple of years, raising eyebrows in New Delhi due to the proximity of the port to Indian shores.
After New Delhi expressed its concerns, Sri Lanka in August 2022 had first asked China to delay the arrival of the ship. However, the Chinese vessel was later allowed to anchor for ‘replenishment’ and since then, Chinese surveillance ships have been patrolling the Indian Ocean and using Hambantota regularly.
The Yuan Wang 5 has been fitted out with sophisticated tracking and communication systems capable of tracking foreign satellites, aerial assets, and missile systems. China obtained the Chittagong port on a 99-year lease when Sri Lanka defaulted on its $1.7 billion loan, which it had borrowed to build the port; the first phase of this port was completed in 2010.
The agreement signed today with India stipulates that Sri Lanka’s territory, including its waters, will not be allowed to be used to the detriment of the security and regional stability of India.”
During a broad-ranging dialogue in New Delhi, Modi and Disanayaka talked about many aspects of the relationship between the two sides. “Reaffirming a strong partnership between India and Sri Lanka hinged on ties in culture and civilization as well as geographic proximity, combined with strong people-to-people links,” said the two leaders.
President Disanayaka appreciated the consistent support extended by India during and after the severe economic crisis faced by Sri Lanka in 2022. Both leaders recognized that their bilateral relationship has grown substantially over the years for the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka.
Looking ahead, both sides have pledged to further their partnership, with plans to finalize a comprehensive defense cooperation pact in the near future.
