Sri Lanka’s move against foreign research vessels raises eyebrows

The Indian Ocean, traditionally a zone of geopolitical calm, has witnessed rising tensions in recent times. Sri Lanka, strategically located in this evolving scenario, has made a noteworthy move by imposing a one-year moratorium on foreign research vessels in its waters. This decision is now prompting a closer examination of the underlying currents and Sri Lanka's delicate diplomatic balancing act.

India, a dominant player in the Indian Ocean, is increasingly concerned about China's expanding maritime influence. The arrival of China's research vessel Shi Yan 6 in October 2023 heightened these concerns, given its potential to collect sensitive data on underwater features, submarine routes, and biological resources within India's perceived sphere of influence. India is apprehensive about the strategic implications, fearing that China might use the data for military purposes and challenge India's naval dominance in the region.

The Indian Ocean, once considered a relatively calm patch in the world's geopolitical storm, has become a churning cauldron of tension in recent years. At the heart of this maelstrom lies the seemingly innocuous research vessel, a tool of scientific exploration now viewed with suspicion and concern.

Modern research vessels are bristling with sophisticated technology, capable of mapping the ocean floor, tracking currents, and analyzing the very DNA of marine life. This treasure trove of information can have immense strategic and economic value, capable of exposing the hidden pathways of submarines, laying bare naval vulnerabilities.

This knowledge is power, and in the hands of a foreign power, it can be a potent weapon. India, the traditional sentinel of the Indian Ocean, watches with unease as research vessels from China and other powers increasingly crisscross its perceived sphere of influence. Each blip on a sonar screen, each sample extracted from the depths, fuels anxieties about espionage, resource exploitation, and potential military advantage.

Sri Lanka, caught in the crosshairs of these competing interests, has taken a bold step. Sri Lanka has decided to impose a one-year moratorium starting next month on allowing foreign vessels to conduct research in the island nation's territorial waters, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said, amid frequent docking requests from Chinese surveillance ships.

This decision comes amid reports that, after the Chinese Research Survey Vessel Shi Yan 6 completed its survey off the coast of Sri Lanka and reached Singapore on December 2, Beijing has asked permission from Colombo and Male to allow another Research Survey Vessel to dock at their ports and conduct deep water exploration of the South Indian Ocean from January 5 till late May 2024.

Made in 20126, Xiang Yang Hong 03 is a 4813-ton vessel equipped with the latest survey and surveillance equipment and is registered at the port of Xiamen. The previous survey vessel, Shi Yan 6, which was allowed permission by the Ranil Wickremesinghe government despite India’s strong objections, exited the Malacca Straits on November 20 after conducting exploration of the Sri Lankan EEZ and South Indian Ocean. The ship was also seen 500 nautical miles off Chennai before it entered Colombo port on October 25, 2023.

It was reported that India has raised objections with both Sri Lanka and the Maldives and asked them not to allow the Chinese vessel to conduct exploration of the Indian Ocean for future military operations. The vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 is currently off the coast of Xiamen in the South China Sea and will travel via Malacca to these countries after securing permission.

A recent one-year moratorium on foreign research vessels in its waters is a clear message of self-assertion, a nation reclaiming control over its own maritime destiny. While it may ease India's anxieties, it also presents an opportunity for Sri Lanka to build its own research capabilities, reducing dependence and asserting its rightful place in the scientific exploration of its own backyard.

The potential for foreign powers to gather sensitive data through underwater research activities poses a threat to national security for both countries. Rich oceanic resources, including fish stocks and seabed minerals, make the Indian Ocean a potential arena for competition and conflict.

An increase in foreign research vessels, often linked to military forces, could lead to the militarization of the Indian Ocean, destabilizing the region.

Sri Lanka's moratorium presents an opportunity for India and Sri Lanka to not only address immediate concerns but also build a more stable and secure future for the Indian Ocean.

Indian media reported that, in the name of marine exploration, Beijing is actually mapping the Indian Ocean bed from the ninety-degree ridge south of the Andamans and Nicobar Islands to the deep South Indian Ocean. Detailed ocean bed maps are prepared for future submarine operations all the way up to the coast of Africa. With the PLA already operating off the coast of Africa and the Gulf of Aden in the name of anti-piracy operations, it is only a matter of time before Chinese carrier strike forces will be patrolling in international waters of the Indian Ocean. Last month, the Chinese Navy conducted an exercise with the Pakistan Navy off the Makran Coast with a PLA Song-class diesel hunter-killer submarine participating in specialized “sea bottoming” operations along with client state Pakistan.

Recently, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka had a standard operating procedure (SOP) for granting permission for foreign vessels. "Research ships have been coming for the last 10 years. There is no issue here. One of the countries raised the issue whether these research vessels could be used for spying," he said. He emphasizes that discussions with India have resulted in amendments to the SOP, ensuring that vessels posing a threat to India's interests will not be permitted.

As the region grapples with these delicate diplomatic waters, the one-year moratorium emerges as a pivotal moment, shaping the future dynamics of the Indian Ocean and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders for long-term stability and security.