Author: TELO Admin

Maldives and Sri Lanka are in the unenviable position of meeting the contradictory demands of India and China on the visits of Chinese naval research vessels.

While India and China have competing strategic interests in the Indian Ocean around the Maldivian archipelago and Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Sri Lanka have the sovereign right to take decisions on such matters based on their national interest.

Both the Maldives and Sri Lanka have taken temporary decisions. While, Sri Lanka has declared a one-year moratorium on visits by all foreign research vessels, to enable it to formulate an agreed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that would be applicable to all, the Maldives has allowed a visit by the Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 for “rotation of personnel and replenishment” only and not for any survey or research.

The Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Tuesday that the Chinese had made a “diplomatic request” for Xiang Yang Hong 3.

Justifying the decision to allow the vessel to dock in Male, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “The Maldives has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of friendly countries, and continues to host both civilian and military vessels making port calls for peaceful purposes. Such port calls not only enhance bilateral ties between the Maldives and its partner countries, but also demonstrate the centuries old tradition of the Maldivian people welcoming vessels from friendly countries.”

The Maldivian decision could not have been an easy one as it has been taken when (a) it is in the midst of a bitter standoff with India on the latter’s military presence in the island and (b) during high profile visits from the US and China.

US Admiral’s Visit

Last week, the Commander of the US Indo-Pacific fleet, Adm. John Aquilino, met President Mohamad Muizzu in Male. The Admiral underscored USINDOPACOM’s unwavering commitment to fostering cooperation and enhancing the partnership between the two nations. The discussions were on mutual initiatives for bolstering national and regional security and sovereignty.

Adm. Aquilino also engaged with Minister of Defence Ghassan Maumoon and Chief of Defence Lt. Gen. Abdul Raheem, emphasizing joint efforts in countering trans-national threats and expanding domestic maritime security.

On January 21, Adm. Aquilino presented a package of U.S. grant-funded equipment to Maldives Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Abdul Raheem. The equipment is designed to enhance the safety and capabilities of Maldives’ Special Forces personnel during maritime security and counterterrorism operations.

The transfer between the two countries “demonstrates USINDOPACOM’s steadfast commitment to a sovereign, secure, and democratic Maldives,” the US Fleet’s statement on the visit said.

“USINDOPACOM remains resolute in its dedication to fortify the US-Maldives relationship as we offer steadfast support in critical requirement areas. Our commitment underscores the shared vision for a secure, rules-based, and open Indo-Pacific region,” the statement added.

Chinese official’s Visit

Meanwhile, the Maldives intensified its relations with China, a move underscored by the ongoing visit of Ms. Sun Haiyan, the Vice Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In her meeting with President Muizzu, Vice Minister Sun focused on expediting the implementation of agreements signed during Muizzu’s recent state visit to China. She articulated China’s interest in bolstering strategic bilateral relations and offering training opportunities for Maldivians in various fields.

President Muizzu’s recent foreign policy decisions indicate a preference for ties with China. He has also requested that India withdraw its troops stationed in the Maldives. But India has said that it has not committed itself to withdrawing the personnel and that the matter is being discussed at a high level core committee.

Sri Lanka Had Defied India Earlier

Except for the cancellation of the visit of Xiang Yang Hong 3 now, Sri Lanka had not cancelled any Chinese vessel visit since 2022, just on India’s asking.

In October 2023, the Chinese ship, Shi Yan 6 docked at the Colombo port. Sri Lanka had only delayed granting permission for the arrival of the vessel due to concerns raised by India.

“Clearance was granted to carry out marine scientific research on 30 and 31 October,” a spokesman for the Colombo Foreign Ministry said at that time.

Scientists from the Sri Lankan National Aquatic Research Agency (NARA), personnel from the Navy and the University of Ruhuna were given clearance to go on board, he added.

Shi Yan 6 was said to be China’s first scientific research vessel focusing on geophysical exploration. NARA said samples of different seawater levels would also be tested.

Significantly, Shi Yan 6’s visit followed President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to China a week earlier.

At that time, the US had also expressed its concern to Sri Lanka about the visit of the Chinese ship. US Under Secretary Victoria Nuland, who met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry in New York on the side lines of the UN General Assembly session, had reportedly raised concerns about the visit.

In August 2023, again, India raised concerns over the visit of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warship Hai Yang 24. In August 2022 Yuan Wang 5′ docked amidst Indian protests. It was a Chinese satellite tracking ship. Sri Lanka allowed the ship to dock at the southern port of Hambantota.

Humabtota port is under a 99-year lease to the Chinese company that built it after Colombo was unable to service a U$1.4 billion loan taken for the project.

Cash-Strapped Sri Lanka and Maldives

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka considers both India and China equally important partners in its task of restructuring its US$ 50 billion external debt. China is one of the top lenders to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka owes USD 7.1 billion to bilateral creditors, including USD 3 billion to China. India had extended a credit of US$ 4.5 billion to help Sri Lanka tide over the crisis.

It is difficult for Maldives also to say no to China and India as it is heavily indebted to both. In addition, India is the regional power which neither the Maldives nor Sri Lanka can ignore.

If India has a natural strategic interest in the Indian Ocean, China has developed an interest as a result of its tremendous economic growth in recent years. Additionally, 80% of China’s enormous energy needs are carried over the Indian Ocean. This sea lane has to be protected. China has only in one base in the Indian Ocean at Djibouti and therefore it needs ports to dock for rest, recreation and replenishment, at the very least.

Since India has to assert its natural right over the Indian Ocean, and is also a growing economic and military power, it has to fortify itself against external challenges. Hence its sensitivity to China’s acitvities in the Indian Ocean.

A group of Sri Lankan Tamil legislators has sought India’s intervention to ensure that Colombo fully implements the New Delhi-mooted 13th Amendment, which provides for the devolution of power to the minority community, PTI reported quoting sources.

The group led by the veteran politician and former TNA Leader R Sampanthan met India’s new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, on Monday, said the source from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which represents Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority.

The two-hour-long talks were centred on the 13 Amendment, which created the provincial councils system for the island nation’s nine provinces.

The Tamil parties pointed out the need for India’s intervention in the current Sri Lankan political context for the meaningful devolution of power, the source said.

They also highlighted the issue of the Tamil political prisoners and the Tamil land grabbing by the state.

India has been pressing Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987. The 13A provides for the devolution of power to the Tamil community.

The 13A became a part of Sri Lanka’s constitution in 1987 through the direct intervention of the then-Indian government led by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi as part of the Indo-Lanka Accord.

The current Tamil political parties are sceptical of the political will of the majority Sinhala to fully implement the 13A, the PTI report said.

Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in Colombo reports that the new Indian High Commissioner had met with Tamil leaders of Northern and Eastern Provinces, and discussed the issues concerning political, economic and social development of the region.

“Reiterating India’s longstanding position on reconciliation and full implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment, High Commissioner reaffirmed India’s continuous commitment to work for the well-being of the people of this region”, the High Commission said in a tweet.

A protest took place near Gandhi Park in Batticaloa yesterday (22) against two draft laws presented by the government.

Civil society activists held the agitation over the anti-terrorism and online safety bills.

Carrying placards, they marched from Kallady Bridge with calls to the government to safeguard fundamental rights, right to expression and assembly, and to respect human rights.

Among the protestors was former state minister Ali Zahir Moulana.

Police banned a one-day hunger strike planned after the protest.

The two proposed laws are coming under local and international condemnation.

Sri Lanka might lose access to international platforms such as Google and Meta (formerly Facebook) with the introduction of the Online Safety Bill, Member of Parliament Eran Wickremeratne said in parliament.

“Once this law is introduced, they will review the offences they would be accused of and most likely close up its access to users in Sri Lanka. Further, if the Sri Lankan government requests for certain information from Google, they will most likely not comply anymore as it may be self incriminating,” Wickremeratne said on Tuesday (22) when the bill was being debated.

He was responding to the opening statement to the bill presented by Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles.

“The minister spoke about intermediaries, and that they were in agreement [with the bill]. But, it should be said that they are not in favour of the bill, of which they will express their displeasure through their own social media platforms,” the minister said, referring to representatives of information technology platforms.

In September 2023 the Asia Internet Coalition released a statement saying that it had concerns over the government’s push for the Online Safety Bill “without undertaking any stakeholder consultation”.

Notable members co-signing the statement were Google, Meta, X, LinkedIn, Apple, Spotify and Bookings.com.

“While our member companies take seriously the online safety of those who use their services, legislation should not dampen innovation by restricting public debate and the exchange of ideas that can consequently impact the digital economy.”

“We strongly urge the Government to work closely with industry stakeholders to develop regulations that are proportionate, reasonable, consistent with international best practices, and most importantly, support the growth of Sri Lanka’s nascent digital economy.”

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court said in November that the controversial bill was eligible to be passed in parliament, once subject to amendments to 31 of its provisions.

Among the offences listed in the draft bill were the communication of false statements on incidents within Sri Lanka, false statements causing defamation, disturbing religious assembly through false statements, communication of false statements with the sole intention of hurting religious emotions, communication of false statements with the sole intention for the abomination of religious emotions.

In addition to the online truths, the bullet points also included criminal activities such as fraud, cheating and child abuse, as part of ‘Online Safety’.

The MP said that he had received the bill in its full form from the legal draftsman’s office only yesterday.

“Yesterday we went to the Sectoral Oversight Comittee, that was the first time we received the legal draftsman’s department’s copy. Other parliamentary ministers are likely to have never seen this.”

The MP said that the bill, which is meant to stringently regulate online platform use, will create a great risk for locals and foreigners.

“We shouldn’t just dwell on whether this is constitutional or not. We have to go beyond that… We as participants in a global digital economy, abide by international conventions such as the ICCPR.”

The minister said that creating avenues for dollar revenues through the technological and internet based sector is key. “That is why we should introduce laws that do not hinder the economy.”