Sri Lanka ban on Chinese ships a ‘victory’ for India, but shows limits of small states in big-power rivalry

The move shows Colombo ‘did not wish to trigger any tensions’ with its neighbour, given India’s economic and military capabilities in the region

Analysts say the ban’s short duration means China’s growing maritime presence in the Indian Ocean will ‘continue to be a matter of concern’ for New Delhi

Reading Time:4 minutes

Chinese research ship Shi Yan 6 is seen berthed at Colombo harbour in Sri Lanka in October 2023. Photo: AP

Published: 6:30pm, 15 Jan 2024

The ban on Chinese ships in Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is seen as a “victory” for India in the Indian Ocean but also highlights the limits of small states “in manoeuvring between major powers”, analysts said.

The one-year moratorium also points to China’s inability to leverage its investment in developing countries to serve its growing military ambition, experts added.

On December 31, Sri Lanka said it had informed India that it would not allow any Chinese research vessels to dock at its ports or operate within its EEZ for a year, the Hindustan Times reported.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) welcomes Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe before a meeting in New Delhi in July 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

The move came after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe during their meeting in July to respect New Delhi’s strategic and security concerns.

This meant that Chinese scientific research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3, which was scheduled to conduct deepwater exploration in the south Indian Ocean beginning this week, would not be given the clearance to do so.

India had earlier raised objections to Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6, which had conducted a joint maritime survey in October to November with the Sri Lankan maritime agency.

Swaran Singh, international relations professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, said India – and also the United States – had often expressed displeasure to Sri Lanka on the increasing presence of Chinese combat and research vessels in the Indian Ocean, that occasionally anchor on Sri Lankan ports.