3 weeks ago
9
One Indian Navy ship and three Chinese naval ships are currently docking at Sri Lankan capital of Colombo read more
 "Stand-off in north, 'great game' in south")
Representative photo of a Chinese navy ship (Credit: Reuters)
In a rare instance, Indian and Chinese warships are currently docked in Sri Lankan capital Colombo, according to reports.
Colombo is currently hosting India’s INS Mumbai and three Chinese ships. The Times of India reported that while the Indian guided missile destroyed has around 410 personnel onboard, the Chinese ships have a crew of around 1,500 personnel.
The newspaper further reported that Chinese ships include destroyer Hefei and amphibious ships Wuzhishan and Qilianshan.
India sees the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as its turf and considers Chinese presence in the region as an irritant. Lately, China has been increasing the presence as well as operations in the IOR. Previously, the docking of Chinese ships and submarines has irked India. Last year, a ‘spy ship’ of China had also docked in Sri Lanka.
A defence official told the newspaper that Chinese warships, including those part of anti-piracy escort forces, are now staying in the IOR for a much longer time.
“The expanding Chinese naval presence in the IOR, along with Beijing’s hunt for additional logistical turnaround facilities in the region, has become a major challenge for India,” said the official.
China has ramped up its military activities in the IOR. While it has been beefing up Pakistan naval presence for a while, it has recently entered into a defence agreement with the Maldives as well where the new government is deemed unfriendly to India. President Mohamed Muizzu has got the Indian military contingent from the country removed before entering into the pact.
Such a situation may arise in Sri Lanka as well as the country is headed to presidential election next month. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the rival of incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, is deemed pro-China.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·