Sri Lanka: India offers a reconnaissance plane when the Chinese research boat arrives
Hambantota (Sri Lanka): the Chinese ambassador in Colombo came to welcome the Chinese research vessel, which arrived on August 16 in the port, controlled by China.
A visit that greatly troubles India.
AFP - ISHARA S. KODIKARA
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
India offered, on Monday, August 15, a maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The device landed on Indian Independence Day, but also the day before the arrival in Sri Lanka of a Chinese ship whose spy capabilities India fears.
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with our correspondent in Bangalore,
Côme Bastin
“The security of India and Sri Lanka is enhanced by mutual understanding and cooperation.
This donation is India's latest contribution to this cause,” said Gopal Baglay, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, at a military base near Colombo.
High Commissioner HE Gopal Baglay met with Hon.
Minister @ATThondaman & discussed bilateral cooperation for community development.
They dwelt on flagship #IndianHousingProject for estate workers in #SriLanka....1/n @dpa_mea @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/IK74IN9KZP
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) May 26, 2020
The device, a German model Dornier 228 manufactured in India, is intended for maritime and coastal surveillance.
Following a long and terrible economic crisis, the naval forces of Sri Lanka are indeed unable to carry out their missions.
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Also to listen:
Sri Lanka on the brink
India is the initiator of the
Colombo Security Conclave
, which includes Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius and focuses on maritime security and cybersecurity.
In 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Security and Growth for All in the Region” mission, which includes the donation of this plane.
Behind this desire for rapprochement hangs the threat of China, which is strengthening its military and commercial presence near Indian waters and particularly in Sri Lanka.
The donation of this plane by India, the day before the arrival in the port of Hambantota (this Tuesday) of the Chinese research vessel, illustrates the war of influence being played out between the two Asian giants in Sri Lanka.
According to Indian intelligence, this ship can be used to track satellites and spy,
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To read also
: Sri Lanka welcomes a Chinese ship suspected of espionage, anger of India
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