China is reportedly planning to establish a radar base in Sri Lanka, aiming to monitor India’s strategic activities in the Indian Ocean region, according to a report by The Economic Times. This development is viewed as a significant concern for India, as the proposed radar base could serve as a tool for China to closely track the movements of the Indian Navy and evaluate strategic assets in South India.
The radar installation is also expected to have the capability to monitor U.S. military activities, particularly those originating from the U.S. military base in Diego Garcia, a key strategic location in the Indian Ocean. The report suggests that the Aerospace Information Research Institute, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, could spearhead the project, with the radar likely being placed in the forests of Dondra Bay, located at the southern tip of Sri Lanka.
Strategic implications for India
The establishment of a Chinese radar base so close to Indian territory is seen as a direct threat to India’s security interests in the Indian Ocean region. The radar’s range could potentially cover Indian territory extending to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and could also be used to keep tabs on critical Indian infrastructure, including the Kudankulam and Kalpakkam nuclear power plants in Tamil Nadu.
Sources familiar with the development told The Economic Times that the radar would have the capability to track not only naval movements but also activities at key military installations across southern India. This has raised alarms within India’s defense and intelligence circles, as the radar system could provide China with real-time data on Indian military operations, potentially compromising India’s strategic positioning in the region.
Monitoring U.S. movements
Apart from India, the radar base would also be positioned to monitor the movements of the U.S. military in the Indian Ocean, particularly at the Diego Garcia military base, which is a key asset for the U.S. in the region. Diego Garcia plays a critical role in U.S. military operations in the Middle East and South Asia, and its proximity to Sri Lanka could give China a significant intelligence advantage.
This development adds to growing concerns about China’s strategic ambitions in the Indian Ocean. The region is vital for international trade and military presence, and China’s increasing influence here, including its Belt and Road Initiative projects, has already raised eyebrows among India and its allies.
Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to Chinese influence
Sri Lanka’s position in this geopolitical maneuver is delicate. While the island nation is reportedly skeptical of China’s intentions, it finds itself in a vulnerable position due to the significant debt it owes to China. This debt has made Sri Lanka increasingly reliant on Beijing for financial and infrastructural support.
One of the most prominent examples of this dependency is the lease of the Hambantota port to China for 99 years. The port, situated at a crucial strategic location, has been a point of concern for India, especially after a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ship docked there last year, triggering alarm within the Indian defense establishment.
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Sri Lanka’s Dondra Bay, where the radar installation is proposed, holds historical significance and strategic importance as it sits at the southernmost point of the island, making it a prime location for monitoring naval and air traffic in the region.
India’s response and concerns
India has been monitoring the developments in Sri Lanka and the increasing Chinese presence in the region. The lease of Hambantota port and the visit of the PLA ship were events that heightened India’s concerns about Chinese expansionism in its strategic backyard.
Experts suggest that the establishment of the radar base would further complicate India’s security calculations and could lead to a more aggressive stance from New Delhi regarding its maritime policies and relationships with neighboring countries. Additionally, India is likely to strengthen its naval presence in the region to counterbalance the growing Chinese influence.
The reported plans for a Chinese radar base in Sri Lanka are a significant geopolitical development that has the potential to shift the strategic balance in the Indian Ocean region. For India, this represents a direct challenge to its national security interests, while for Sri Lanka, it underscores the precarious position of being caught in the middle of great power competition. As China continues to expand its footprint in South Asia, the region’s security dynamics are poised for further tension and complexity.
