Sri Lanka assures New Delhi that it will not permit anybody to use its territory to threaten India’s security

In what must come as music to the ears of the Indian government, the Sri Lankan President has said that his country will not allow anyone to use its territory to threaten India’s security. This assurance comes at a time when China is aggressively pursuing ‘Mission Indian Ocean’ - which targets India. In a joint statement issued  Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made Colombo’s position clear during his dialogue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. This assurance is seen as a critical development in India-Sri Lanka relations, especially given China’s use of Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port for docking its naval surveillance and spy ships, including the ballistic missile tracking ship Yuan Wang 5. China’s growing footprint in the Indian Ocean has raised red flags for New Delhi. The Hambantota Port, now under a 99-year lease to China following Sri Lanka’s inability to service its debt, has become a hub for Chinese naval operations. Over the past two years, Beijing has stationed the Yuan Wang 5, a 25,000-tonne satellite and missile tracking ship, at Hambantota multiple times. This vessel, equipped with advanced tracking and communication systems, has been closely monitoring satellite and missile activities in the region, creating strategic challenges for India. 

In 2022, Sri Lanka briefly delayed the docking of Yuan Wang 5 following Indian concerns but eventually allowed the vessel to dock under the guise of ‘replenishment.’ Since then, Chinese surveillance ships have regularly patrolled the Indian Ocean, adding to India’s apprehensions about Beijing’s strategic intentions in the region.  The agreement between India and Sri Lanka ensures that Sri Lankan territory, including its waters, will not be used in any manner that could harm India’s security or regional peace. This is a welcome relief for New Delhi, which views such commitments as crucial for maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean Region. This of course hasn’t happened overnight. India’s steadfast support for Sri Lanka during its economic crisis in 2022 has further solidified the bond between the two nations. President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for India’s timely assistance, which was instrumental in stabilising Sri Lanka’s economy during one of its most challenging periods.  As far as China is concerned it has been courting Sri Lanka for the sole purpose of encircling India and getting a foothold in Indian Ocean. China’s influence in Sri Lanka has grown significantly, particularly after Colombo defaulted on its $1.7 billion loan for the Hambantota Port project. India has consistently raised concerns about the strategic implications of Chinese investments and activities in Sri Lanka. In this background the assurance of Sri Lankan president signals Sri Lanka’s intent to balance its ties with both regional powers while safeguarding regional stability. The agreement also underscores Colombo’s recognition of the importance of India’s security and regional stability and paves the way for a stronger, more strategic India-Sri Lanka alliance in the years to come.