Sri Lanka approves Chinese port project to avoid 'misunderstanding' with Beijing

[Steakhouse]

They will. Watch them.

You also have to keep in mind that for the last 10 years, the Govt of India was also neither assertive nor willing to spend money nor influence or heck even time of the day on our external security(from our neighbouring nations to nations far abroad)

Which is why many nations were able to do many things without worrying about reprisals(of any kind from GoI - diplomatic, economic or covert)

We now have a Government that is pro-active, not reactive. Willing to do a lot and not under constant domestic political threat.

Couple this with a change of regime in Sri Lanka...and you will see that while Sri Lanka's relationship with no nation will suffer as long as it is not a military relationship specifically of the kind that undermines Indian security interests - an example is the docking of Chinese nuclear submarine in Sri Lanka.

Sir Lanka change the head of the government with their vote but the new government more or less will stick a foreign policy that will upheld their interest in the past and in the future.

 

[Gibbs]

That does not mean that the GOSL will reject any Chinese naval crafts that visits the country on good will.. They have been all these years and will continue to do so in the future.. India has no say in that.. But there is protocol in that agreement for nuclear vessels etc

 

[Steakhouse]

There is a bilateral agreement between Sri Lanka and India that no naval craft that would deem detrimental to the security interests of the two be allowed to use sovereign waters of Sri Lanka or India, Without one anothers consent

So it's natural that one party would be aggrieved if the other broke that agreement

It's not confined to Chinese naval vessels, But any other countries

Thing China not form a permanent base in Sir Lanka, Sir Lanka government will have a hard time to reject China naval lay over if they ask Sir Lanka for the permission. Even China allow US naval force to port at Hong Kong when US ask China for such permission.

 

[Judge]

Sir Lanka change the head of the government with their vote but the new government more or less will stick a foreign policy that will upheld their interest in the past and in the future.

Sri Lanka has absolute autonomy to pursue its foreign policy as long as that policy does not become detrimental to India.
This is applicable to India as well. India has absolute control of its foreign policy as long as it does not happen at the cost of Sri Lankan security.

Now, the last GoI was absolutely weak, hemmed in on all fronts - economic, political and social by its own incompetence.

The current one will. It is showing that it is 180 degree opposite to the last GoI. It will enforce this.

You seem to be unable to differentiate between building a port and having a naval base. The two are not the same. The port is being built by China - good for China, but China will not be allowed to host a fleet there, neither will any asset that India finds objectionable. You will see that Sri Lanka politely turns down all such requests by China.

Oh - and I am not talking of good will visits - Chinese warships have docked at Indian ports as well for that, and Indian warships have docked at Chinese ports!

 

[Steakhouse]

That does not mean that the GOSL will reject any Chinese naval crafts that visits the country on good will.. They have been all these years and will continue to do so in the future.. India has no say in that.. But there is protocol in that agreement for nuclear vessels etc

I don't mean as a goodwill visit, that the diplomacy exchange between two nation, I mean during the time of need Sir Lanka will have a hard time reject China naval to port at Sir Lanka as China naval on their way in the IOC deployment.

 

[Gibbs]

Thing China not form a permanent base in Sir Lanka, Sir Lanka government will have a hard time to reject China naval lay over if they ask Sir Lanka for the permission. Even China allow US naval force to port at Hong Kong when US ask China for such permission.

Totally agree.. Except the country is bound by an bilateral agreement.. Still no agreement overrides the sovereign right of a nation of whom they can invite or not but that will be at the cost of an understanding with India.. So it's a balancing act

 

[Zarvan]

Sri Lanka approves Chinese port project to avoid 'misunderstanding' with Beijing | World news | The Guardian

Sri Lanka’s new government will go ahead with a $1.5 bn Chinese-funded port city project planned by the previous president to avoid misunderstandings with Beijing, an official said Thursday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping officially launched the city’s development on an artificial island during a visit to Sri Lanka last September. The new government of President Maithripala Sirisena has said it wants to review all projects to ensure they are environmentally viable and corruption-free.

Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told reporters that the project will go ahead despite an incomplete environment assessment to avoid a “misunderstanding” with the Chinese government.

Since being elected last month, Sirisena’s government has moved to mend relations with the United States and neighbouring India which were strained during the pro-Beijing administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The decision to continue the port project is seen as an effort to reassure China.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao will meet Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday, a government statement said.

Senaratne said an environment impact assessment was completed for the reclamation part of the project but not for the city development.

“But there is time to do that. So the project will continue while rectifying the shortcomings,” he said.He said the project will be discussed along with any alternations during a visit by Sirisena to Beijing next month.

Under Rajapaksa, relations with China strengthened, with heavy Chinese investment. The port city project became the face of Chinese influence in the country.Two recent port calls by Chinese submarines at a Chinese-built terminal in Colombo fuelled speculation that Beijing wants to have port access along strategic sea lanes linking the energy-rich Persian Gulf and economic centres in eastern China.

The submarine visits spooked India, which lies just 30 miles (50 kms) from Sri Lanka and shares U.S. uncertainty about Beijing’s intentions as China’s military power grows.

China has become Sri Lanka’s largest lender in recent years, providing more than $6 bn through September 2013 for port facilities, highways and a new international airport.

China also supplied weapons to the government during Sri Lanka’s civil war that ended in 2009 with the defeat of ethnic Tamil separatists, and has defended the Indian Ocean island nation from allegations of human rights abuses and calls for a UN investigation into alleged war crimes.

India fails again Man this is Sad and seriously not good for India

 

[Raphael]

We all saw this coming

 

[Gibbs]

I don't mean as a goodwill visit, that the diplomacy exchange between two nation, I mean during the time of need Sir Lanka will have a hard time reject China naval to port at Sir Lanka as China naval on their way in the IOC deployment.

I dont think any GOSL will be agreeable to that.. We're a small nation and cannot be a part of global power politics.. Even though we value the Chinese relationship greatly.. It will be foolhardy for any govt to do that.. Non military wise nobody has the right to question Chinese involvement in the country

 

[Steakhouse]

Sri Lanka has absolute autonomy to pursue its foreign policy as long as that policy does not become detrimental to India.
This is applicable to India as well. India has absolute control of its foreign policy as long as it does not happen at the cost of Sri Lankan security.

Now, the last GoI was absolutely weak, hemmed in on all fronts - economic, political and social by its own incompetence.

The current one will is showing that it is 180 opposite to the last GoI. It will enforce this.

You seem to be unable to differentiate between building a port and having a naval base. The two are not the same. The port is being built by China - good for China, but China will not be allowed to host a fleet there, neither will any asset that India finds objectionable. You will see that Sri Lanka politely turns down all such requests by China.

Oh - and I am not talking of good will visits - Chinese warships have docked at Indian ports as well for that, and Indian warships have docked at Chinese ports!

Thing China operate a port for commercial interest and not construct a naval base in Sir Lanka. India can't criticize Sir Lanka for allow China naval task force to use the port for China to restock the daily supply for China navy.

 

[Judge]

Totally agree.. Except the country is bound by an bilateral agreement.. Still no agreement overrides the sovereign right of a nation of whom they can invite or not but that will be at the cost of an understanding with India.. So it's a balancing act

Agreements signed by Sovereign nations do override their limits of actions.

Nations routinely agree to give up some rights in exchange for
1. Others giving up some of their rights
2. Benefits of different kinds
3. Relationship value between neighbours

A violation of such treaty agreements by Sri Lanka can mean GoI can take retaliatory actions and justify them...and/or drag SL to Court - Sri Lanka's own and International.

The same is applicable for India. SL can use the very same if it feels India is compromising SL security.

 

[Steakhouse]

I dont think any GOSL will be agreeable to that.. We're a small nation and cannot be a part of global power politics.. Even though we value the Chinese relationship greatly.. It will be foolhardy for any govt to do that.. Non military wise nobody has the right to question Chinese involvement in the country

I

This not about China want to get their military footprint on Sir Lanka, China won't take it lightly if Sir Lanka reject China port call so China navy can restock their supply line.

 

[Gibbs]

I

This not about China want to get their military footprint on Sir Lanka, China won't take it lightly if Sir Lanka reject China port call so China navy can restock their supply line.

It's not that simple.. Fortunately or unfortunately Sri Lanka is bound by a bilateral treaty.. So unless it rejects or get out of it arbitrarily and face legal and diplomatic consequences.. No GOSL can allow it's waters to be used for military purposes

 

[SrNair]

Sir Lanka government know China partnership strategic important for them in geopolitical, Sir Lanka need both China investment and geopolitic backing in the region to balance out India or US geopolitical game.

There is no balance game with India in there .The fact is these port city is good for SL and its development.They dont need to reject a good investment because they are from China.
And we will also ensure that wont undermine our national security.

I don't mean as a goodwill visit, that the diplomacy exchange between two nation, I mean during the time of need Sir Lanka will have a hard time reject China naval to port at Sir Lanka as China naval on their way in the IOC deployment.

Chinese IOC deployment will be only for their shipping lane protection.Not for deployment like that of US task force since you dont have that much of capability.

Thing China operate a port for commercial interest and not construct a naval base in Sir Lanka. India can't criticize Sir Lanka for allow China naval task force to use the port for China to restock the daily supply for China navy.

That wont happen if it is meant for military purpose.We already have enough agreement with SL about that.

 

[Judge]

There is no balance game with India in there .The fact is these port city is good for SL and its development.They dont need to reject a good investment because they are from China.

Development of Sri Lanka is in Indian interest. And any move to that end is welcome.

It would be amazing to have Sri Lanka as the first developed State in South Asia. Sri Lanka is already becoming popular in the tourist circuit.

Every South Asian country is developing its economy. Its a positive sign for our region.
Pakistan ofcourse is an exception, but then their people already think they are Central Asians, so it doesn't affect the region.