Bharat Rakshak

pankajs wrote:^
I am highly skeptical about "this" checkmate.

The SLs moving their naval southern command to the hambantota port is an interesting development. It means that the SLs are moving to contain the damage caused by the previous regime and it will leave the hans unhappy to have SL naval ships positioned permanently in the port and openly watching their every move.

Why didn't the Chinese take the airport when it was offered to them????

Both India and China now have one lemon each in their hand. It is geo-strategic rather than economic viability. Perhaps SL new govt wanted to balance it out. But there may be more lemons as SL still has other massive Chinese debts.

vinod wrote:Why didn't the Chinese take the airport when it was offered to them????

Haven't they got many thousands of acres in the port area free??

They can easily build themselves an airport right there if needed.

chetak wrote:

vinod wrote:Why didn't the Chinese take the airport when it was offered to them????

Haven't they got many thousands of acres in the port area free??

They can easily build themselves an airport right there if needed.

I don't know about the contract details, but I doubt they can build an airport just like that without SL's consent. I was thinking of probably a simpler explanation; China was probably holding out to extract more favourable terms from SL but India was offered and took it up. Just speculating....

The Chins are more interested in acquiring vast acres of land and a port that can sustain their warships and subs.It would be hugely provocative if SL were to allow a Chin. mil. base on its soil.There would be a huge outcry within SL itself.The ambiguity of the deal has forced the GOSL to move its navy into HTota from Galle even though its CG base at Kirinda is close by,just next door.

The chinese must be taking over the port to make a logistics hub. PLAN vessels may not be allowed to berth, however nothing preventing support vessels from berthing and loading up supplies for PLAN vessels waiting in the international waters.

Like they have their hotel ship trailing their carriers, they will have large "civilian" vessels loading up at the port and "exporting" to the PLAN vessels in IOR.

At present time, china does not have the capability to do any mischief far away from their mainland. Yes they may develop in future with their growing economy and military might. But the same time span will also help to grow stronger in similar terms. So it is easier for India being nearer SL than china.

However it all hinges on Indian growth.
meanwhile SL should also grow its economy and do what it can.


sometimes wonder if any SL guy sometime in near future wins elections and scrap the deal with china- what will happen then??
Will china wage a war against SL!!

This can be a low cost options for some esp SL who are in debt trap.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri- ... SKBN1KC0D8
China's Xi offers fresh $295 million grant to Sri Lanka in push for dominance

President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka, a partner in Beijing’s multi-country Belt and Road infrastructure push, made the announcement on Saturday at a ceremony to mark the start of construction of a Chinese-funded kidney hospital in his home constituency of Polonnaruwa, 230 km (142.92 miles) from capital Colombo.

“When the Chinese ambassador visited my house to fix the date for this ceremony, he said that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent me another gift,” Sirisena told the gathering.

“He has gifted 2 billion yuan to be utilized for any project of my wish. I’m going to hand over a proposal to the Chinese ambassador to build houses in all the electorates in the country,” he added.

Reuters could not immediately contact officials from the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka for comment.

http://colombogazette.com/2018/07/23/ch ... t-frigate/
China to boost military ties with Sri Lanka and gift frigate

Senior Colonel Xu Jianwei of the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said that this year China will continue to provide various training courses for the Sri Lankan tri-forces, to complete building a Chinese-funded auditorium complex at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, and make preparations to hand over a gift frigate to the Sri Lanka Navy.

Folks I split the Sri Lanka Thread to post PM appointment crisis and am locking up this thread.

ramana