Challenges in maritime domain, Chinese presence brought up -Modi-Ranil talks

Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has dealt with a couple of questions relating to Sri Lanka’s relationship with China during a special media briefing in the wake of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi.

Responding to a query from ANI whether President Wickremesinghe gave any kind of assurance regarding India’s concern over Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean or discussion on spy vessel docking at the Hambantota port, Indian spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said ‘No.’

The Indian HC quoted FS Kwatra as having said: “On the question of the Chinese presence and the related elements … thoughts which came out like, for example, I think Times Now had a question relating to Chinese submarine presence and Chinese presence in Sri Lanka was another question…whether the President gave any specific assurance on that and the related elements to that. Look, we are neighbours; we naturally have a very long-standing and comprehensive relationship. When the Leaders of

the two countries meet, it is very natural for them to speak about their concerns. When we speak of maritime domain and when India and Sri Lanka sit down, they don’t just talk of opportunities that exist of economic partnership in the maritime domain, they also take comprehensive stock assessment of the challenges that they face in the maritime domain. These challenges, the nature of these challenges, the specifics of these challenges in our maritime domain were brought up appropriately during the discussions and you would have heard Prime Minister say in his press remarks also, that the aspects relating to India’s security and sensitivity, Sri Lankan side did convey to us their sensitivity and respect for our security and strategic sensitive concerns relating to what happens in our maritime domain. Our challenges that we face in the maritime domain are in many ways shared and both sides will continue to monitor developments, naturally closely consult on issues that have a bearing on the security of both countries and particularly India’s security and concerns of India’s security and sensitivity.”