SRI LANKA'S INCONSISTENT FOREIGN POLICY THREATENS INDIA'S SECURITY

In March 2024, Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Niluka Kadurugamuwa informed that they will permit offshore research ships for replenishment activities at its ports.

- Ajay Kumar Das

Introduction

This announcement comes in the backdrop of Sri Lanka's self-declared one-year ban on offshore research vessels to visit its ports. The spokesperson further clarified that this one-year ban on vessels was for research purposes, not for 'replenishment purposes'. This development comes immediately after the Chinese embassy protested against the Sri Lankan government's decision to allow a German research vessel to replenish and ban the previous visit of a Chinese research vessel 'Xiang Yang Hong 3' in February 2024.[i] The above decision by the Sri Lankan leaders shows their unstable foreign policy with respect to their neighbour. Allowing foreign vessels to visit Sri Lankan ports will allow Chinese research vessels a free pass which can threaten Indian national security.

Previous Chinese vessel activities