Sri Lanka Defense Expansion of China in the Indian Ocean
Sri Lanka defends increased Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean and denied claims that it is a threat to regional powers of India, the defense ministry said on Friday.
Ministry officials cite high, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, who said that Colombo understands Chinese interests in the region and stressed that their bilateral cooperation purely commercial.
"It is clear that the security and stability of the Indian Ocean is very important for China's energy security, and increased interest and naval presence in the region is quite understandable," said Rajapakse.
Speaking at a seminar in the southern sea port city of Galle on Thursday, Rajapakse declared that China runs infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, Pakistan and in the port of Hambantota, Sri Lanka.
Analysts said that the move is part of a Chinese policy to throw the so-called "string of pearls," or circle of influence around India.
"Putting Hambantita port in the paradigm theory" string of pearls "not true," he added in a speech, a copy will be given to the media on Friday.
Rajapakse, who is the younger brother of President Mahinda Rajapakse, said that it is reasonable for China to increase the economic impact on the country's economic development by leaps and bounds.
"China has long been committed to economic cooperation, which is very generous and is a loyal friend to many countries in the region, including Sri Lanka," he added.
Foreign Minister of the new India, Salman Khurshid, said earlier this week that India must "accept the new realities related to the presence of China" in the neighboring country, which implies a more pragmatic approach from New Delhi.
Ministry officials cite high, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, who said that Colombo understands Chinese interests in the region and stressed that their bilateral cooperation purely commercial.
"It is clear that the security and stability of the Indian Ocean is very important for China's energy security, and increased interest and naval presence in the region is quite understandable," said Rajapakse.
Speaking at a seminar in the southern sea port city of Galle on Thursday, Rajapakse declared that China runs infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, Pakistan and in the port of Hambantota, Sri Lanka.
Analysts said that the move is part of a Chinese policy to throw the so-called "string of pearls," or circle of influence around India.
"Putting Hambantita port in the paradigm theory" string of pearls "not true," he added in a speech, a copy will be given to the media on Friday.
Rajapakse, who is the younger brother of President Mahinda Rajapakse, said that it is reasonable for China to increase the economic impact on the country's economic development by leaps and bounds.
"China has long been committed to economic cooperation, which is very generous and is a loyal friend to many countries in the region, including Sri Lanka," he added.
Foreign Minister of the new India, Salman Khurshid, said earlier this week that India must "accept the new realities related to the presence of China" in the neighboring country, which implies a more pragmatic approach from New Delhi.
