Indian and Chinese Warships Visit Sri Lanka

Japan has signed grant contracts worth over $1 million to support two demining projects in Sri Lanka, aimed at benefiting over 6,300 individuals in the Northern province. This initiative continues Japan's longstanding commitment to humanitarian demining in the region, with total assistance exceeding $46 million since 2002. Concurrently, Sri Lanka's Colombo Port welcomed India's INS Mumbai and three Chinese Navy warships, marking a strategic demonstration amid ongoing regional tensions. The Indian destroyer is on its first visit to Sri Lanka, while the Chinese vessels are set to engage in joint activities with the Sri Lankan Navy during their stay. This simultaneous presence of Indian and Chinese naval forces highlights the geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean, with Sri Lanka navigating its relations with both powers. Concerns from India regarding potential Chinese military presence have led to a ban on foreign research vessels, though discussions of lifting this ban have emerged.