How Sri Lanka can untangle its geo-political knot

Sri Lanka finds itself at the heart of a geopolitical tug-of-war between China and India, with far-reaching implications across the Indo-Pacific region. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi in December underscored the delicate balance the island nation must maintain.

In a public assurance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dissanayake unequivocally stated that Sri Lanka would not allow its territory to be used in any way detrimental to India’s security. Yet, this commitment is under strain as Colombo wrestles with the pressures of economic dependence on China, particularly in light of the controversy surrounding Chinese research vessels docking at Sri Lankan ports.

These vessels, often classified as dual-use platforms with civilian and military functions, have raised significant security concerns in India and among Western powers. In the recent past, the docking of the Yuan Wang 5 and Shi Yan 6 vessels sparked apprehensions due to their advanced surveillance capabilities, which India perceives could be used to monitor its defence infrastructure.

India’s apprehensions are not unfounded. Such ships reportedly possess advanced tracking capabilities for missiles and satellites and could significantly compromise India’s strategic assets in the Indian Ocean.

Security analysts have noted that such vessels are often used to gather intelligence on naval activities and defence installations. To address growing Indian apprehensions, Sri Lanka implemented a…

Read more