Chinese military vessel at Hambantota is a spectre that threatens the new equilibrium in India-Sri Lanka relations

Source: The post is based on an article “Chinese military vessel at Hambantota is a spectre that threatens the new equilibrium in India-Sri Lanka relations” Published in the Indian Express on 8^th August 2022.

Syllabus: GS 2 International Relations; Bilateral Relations

Relevance: India-Sri Lanka Relations

News: Recently, it came to the notice of the Indian government that a Chinese military vessel, the Yuan Wang 5, was scheduled to arrive at Hambantota Port on August 11. It had to stay over for a week. The Sri Lankan government attempted to show it off as a “research vessel” on an innocuous refuelling stop.

About the Chinese Vessel – China’s Yuan Wang: This is a strategic platform that forms a part of the People’s Liberation Army support force. It is used for surveillance.

India’s Response to the vessel: Delhi has raised serious security concerns with respect to Sri Lanka’s move, allowing Chinese vessels.

Sri Lanka’s Response: After a tense week of negotiations between the two South Asian neighbours, Sri Lanka has “deferred the arrival of Chinese vessels until further consultations are made on this matter”.

What are the possible threats to Indian interests?

This is the second time in 19 months that Colombo has tried to make light of India’s security concerns on account of the Chinese presence in Sri Lanka. For example, In January 2021, the Sri Lankan government awarded a renewable energy project on three islands close to the Tamil Nadu Coastline, to a Chinese firm. However, Sri Lanka deferred the project after much diplomatic energy on India’s part, and a commitment to developing the same project through a grant.

Sri Lanka and other India’s entire neighborhood countries like the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan are facing a crisis. This may impact India adversely.

What can be its implications for India-Sri Lanka relations?

Sri Lanks cannot play a China vs India game on its soil without getting hurt itself.

India has been giving massive assistance to Sri Lanka in its time of economic crisis. Colombo may lose Delhi’s goodwill if it continues to ignore India’s real security concerns in the neighborhood.