Rapid Fire
Indian and Chinese Warships in Colombo Port
- 11 Sep 2024
- 2 min read
Recently, India's guided-missile destroyer, INS Mumbai and three Chinese warships visited Colombo port in Sri Lanka on the same day.
- INS Mumbai is on its first port of call in Sri Lanka.
- A port of call is an intermediate stop for a ship on its scheduled journey for cargo operation or transporting supplies or fuel.
- Strategic Implications of Chinese warships for India:
- Heightened Concerns: The Indian Navy closely monitored the movement of the Chinese warships, Hefei, Qilianshan, and Wuzhishan, from their entry into the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) until their docking at Colombo.
- Extended Naval Presence in the IOR: The Chinese Navy has intensified its presence in the IOR with warships extending their stay for a longer period.
- China's Naval Expansion: The Chinese Navy with over 370 ships, is now the largest navy in the world.
- Potential Overseas Military Bases: The intelligence report indicates that China is exploring the establishment of military facilities in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
- Port of Colombo is located in southwestern Sri Lanka. It is also the country’s biggest shipping harbour.
Read More: Chinese Dual-Use Facilities Raise Security Concerns in India
