Three Chinese warships arrive in Colombo
The official said China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean region, as well as its demand for additional logistics facilities in the region, has become a major challenge for India. He said, “Certainly, the Indian Navy with 140 warships definitely needs to have adequate force to 'keep an eye' on Pakistan and 'contain' China in the Indian Ocean region.” The Indian Navy kept a close watch on three Chinese warships, destroyer Hefei and landing platform docks Wuzhishan and Qianshan, from the time they entered the Indian Ocean region till they docked in Colombo. These warships have a combined crew of about 1,500 personnel.
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Welcoming INS Mumbai
Sri Lanka welcomed INS Mumbai. This warship is commanded by Captain Sandeep Kumar. Captain Kumar is accompanied by a team of 410 naval personnel. At the same time, Chinese warships were also welcomed “following naval traditions”. INS Mumbai and Chinese warships are scheduled to conduct separate 'passage exercises' with Sri Lankan warships. India, which has already lost to Beijing in the Maldives, has been forced to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the Mohammed Muizzu government and India has had to withdraw its military personnel to operate a Dornier aircraft and two advanced light helicopters.
Now the anchoring of Chinese warships in Colombo is certainly not good news for India. India has lodged its strong protest with Sri Lanka earlier as well. At that time Sri Lanka had allowed Chinese warships, spy ships and submarines to anchor at Sri Lankan ports.
All eyes on Sri Lanka's presidential election
Amid this strategic tussle, all eyes are now on Sri Lanka's presidential elections to be held on September 21. For India, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is still a better contender than National People's Power's Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dissanayake is considered pro-China. With the world's largest navy with more than 360 warships and submarines, China is constantly strengthening its “underwater domain awareness” in the Indian Ocean region. Our sister newspaper Times of India had already reported that China is using mapping of oceanographic and other data useful for navigation and submarine operations through the almost permanent deployment of survey and research 'spy' ships in the region.
Concern over China-Pakistan collusion
An official said the growing China-Pakistan collusion in the maritime domain is also a major concern. China is helping Pakistan build a strong navy, having already provided four Type 054A/P multi-role frigates. Eight Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines are also in the pipeline. “By 2028-29, Pakistan will have a strength equal to India's Western Naval Command.