Indian and Chinese Warships in Colombo Port | 11 Sep 2024

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.