What's new

Chinese Naval base in Sri Lanka!

. .
Thanks China. for the support.

we should fight against terror in every way whether they are Tamil Tiger in Sri Lanka or Taliban in Pakistan!!!Anyway , we can't afford another unrest anymore when other counties are building their economy rapidly, we should learn from China not only about military affairs but also social policy!!!!!:guns:
 
.
Remember once this route becomes operational most countries will divert their cargo through this shorter route as it will be most economical for them. Add to that, with a Chinese base in the southern coast of SL, countries like Japan, US, South Korea, Taiwan and many others will feel threatened. Hence, it will be in the interest of these countries too to protect this canal from any hostilities from China or any other country.

A heavy naval presence in and around this sea lane is guaranteed. So any provocation from China or any other country will invite the wrath of not only IN but also the navies of Japan and US.

One very important point missed out in the article is the massive reduction in time for the various commands of IN (western, eastern & southern) to meet/join together in case of an all out war with either China or Pakistan. This is the greatest strategic benefit that India derives out of this project.

I guess this time too India has played its cards very well.

It can also act as a submarine penn. It would be able to hold subs as well.

And the Western and Eastern Fleet unification time would be reduced by atleast 50%
 
.
It can also act as a submarine penn. It would be able to hold subs as well.

And the Western and Eastern Fleet unification time would be reduced by atleast 50%

That s exactly my point. Here are some more benefits.



Economic Benefits

The canal is slated to reduce the transit time between the west and east coast of India by 24 hours on an average. Currently, ships plying between the west and east coast have to circumnavigate Sri Lanka. Thus, the canal helps in reducing the transit distance by 335.3 nautical miles on an average. Ships using the canal will save around one day of transit time and fuel costs.

The canal, once completed, is expected to bring huge revenues to the Union and State Governments and transform the regional economy. The Government is investing heavily in the major ports of Chennai and Tuticorin and upgrading existing infrastructure anticipating increased traffic once the canal is completed. It is also developing 13 minor ports, including Ennore, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thondi, Valinokam, Kolachel and Kanyakumari. This will lead to an overall improvement in infrastructure of the State and thus bolster international and domestic maritime trade and bring in greater foreign investment. There will be a great boost to local industries as export costs will be reduced.

The canal is also expected to benefit the fisheries industry of the state as fishing boats will be able to navigate through the Palk Strait which is not possible now. The State Government is building many fishing harbors along the coastline.

The canal is near the East-West International sea-route, one of the busiest navigation routes in the world. Ships sailing between the mid-east and Japan and China now pass between the Maldivian islands, circle the Sri Lankan coastline and then turn north east and sail through the Malacca straits. The canal would create a by-pass and thus divert the huge traffic of ships through India’s own waters. The revenue generated from the toll paid by these ships will be enormous and contribute greatly to the country’s revenue. The Tuticorin Port will become a major nodal port, similar to Colombo or Singapore.



Security and Strategic Benefits

Till recently, the Government largely ignored security of India’s naval waters due to lack of funds and persistent problems in the mainland. However, there is an increasing emphasis being given on controlling the waters of the Indian Ocean by the defense planners in New Delhi. This is largely due to reactionary thinking prompted by two major events : The acquisition of Diego Garcia by the US as a naval base in the Indian Ocean and the commissioning of an aircraft carrier by the US as a show of support for Pakistan during the Bangladesh War. Since the fall of the USSR, India could no longer rely on Soviet support in case of a showdown with US. Thus there was an urgent need to secure and control the country’s waters. The canal, along with planned forward bases in the Lakshadweep and Andaman islands, will play a key role in India’s plans to dominate the waters of the Indian Ocean. The canal helps by saving transit time between the west and east coasts and allows for easier and more secretive patrolling of the waters by the Navy.

The canal will also help negate the growing Chinese influence among South and South East Asian countries, most importantly, Sri Lanka. China, since the 1980s, has begun an ambitious project to build a series of naval bases extending from mid-east to its own coast in order to ensure its energy security. This project is popularly known as ‘The String of Pearls’. This involves building of forward bases and docks for Chinese ships in Pakistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia. The first of these forward bases is the port of Gwadar in Pakistan. The port is located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf in the mouth of the strategically important Straits of Hormuz and right in India’s backyard. Chinese efforts to gain access to the Trincomalee port in Sri Lanka was thwarted due to Indian pressure on Colombo. The canal will allow India to guard it’s waters much more effectively, reduce Chinese influence in the region and give India a strategic leverage over China.

The canal will lead to a much greater and more effective Indian presence in the surrounding waters including around the crucial Straits of Malacca. The Government has invested heavily in building a forward marine command and developing a port in the Andaman and Nicobar anticipating the increase in maritime traffic in the region. The forward base will allow it to gain control over the Straits of Malacca. Over 80% of Japan’s oil needs and 60% of China’s is sourced through these straits. Thus, the building of the canal and the base in the Andaman and Nicobar islands will give India huge strategic muscle against China, Japan and the entire international community.

Finally, the increased security along the canal will help control the growing influence of the LTTE’s naval arm, the Sea Tigers, in the coast between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka and prevent any Sri Lankan Tamil nationalist elements from spreading their influence in Tamil Nadu. It would also provide cover for fishing boats from Tamil Nadu against attacks by the fast attack crafts of the Sea Tigers.



Singapore and Sethusamudram

The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) has leased out Berth 7 in the Tuticorin Port for 30 years and is operating it since 1999. There are plans to increase PSA’s investment in Tuticorin once the canal is completed. With the anticipated increase in traffic in the Tuticorin Port, the cooperation between PSA and TPT could prove mutually beneficial to both countries.

The canal could also host the ships plying the East-West International Sea Route which then touches Singapore in the Straits of Malacca. If this does indeed happen, Singapore and India could work together to coordinate the flow of traffic through the route and provide better service to these ships. Joint patrolling of the waters could also be taken up. This will reduce the threat of piracy that currently infests the waters around the Straits of Malacca.

The canal will facilitate easier movement of Indian naval ships. With India bolstering its military presence in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, the threat of India blockading the mouth of the Straits of Malacca becomes even greater to Singapore and other countries that rely on the east-west sea route.

India has major plans to build a port in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, near the mouth of the Straits of Malacca. If the port can offer good berthing facilities and provide services at low costs, there is a chance that ships might forsake berthing at Singapore or other Malaysian ports.

The proposed port in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands assumes greater significance when viewed in the light of the Thai Canal. Thailand is very serious about building a canal through the southern part of the country, connecting Bandon Bay with Phangnga. Thailand can look forward to Chinese funding for the project as the canal would be another pearl in the ‘String of Pearls’ strategy, reducing China’s dependence on other western oriented countries for its energy security. If completed, the Thai Canal along with the Sethusamudram Canal would alter the current East West International Sea Route and completely obliterate the need for ships to sail through the Straits of Malacca. This would prove completely disastrous to the economy of Singapore which is essentially dependant on its port.





Sri Lanka and Sethusamudram

The canal has raised a lot of concern in Sri Lanka. There were fears initially that the construction of the canal would cause some of the islands of Sri Lanka to submerge. Scientists, however, believe that there will be no significant geophysical changes caused due to the canal.

The maritime traffic around the southern Sri Lankan coastline is slated to reduce drastically once the canal is completed. It is estimated that Sri Lanka may lose up to 50% of its revenue from ports, including Colombo, due to the canal. Many suggest that the canal will seriously jeopardize the good relations between New Delhi and Colombo.

The proximity of the canal to LTTE controlled Northern Sri Lanka and Jaffna is another factor that cannot be ignored. Nobody really knows how this will affect either party, but both are equally anxious and suspicious.
 
.
Add to that, with a Chinese base in the southern coast of SL, countries like Japan, US, South Korea, Taiwan and many others will feel threatened. Hence, it will be in the interest of these countries too to protect this canal from any hostilities from China or any other country..

China has far greater presence in Sudan but no one did anything because it is a give and take situation. There are several other naval bases which China can raise an issue against but China will not do that again it is a give and take.


A heavy naval presence in and around this sea lane is guaranteed. So any provocation from China or any other country will invite the wrath of not only IN but also the navies of Japan and US.

Again in a war against India, other countries would protest and ensure safety of their own assets but no one will actually jump in war to protect India.

Also, India can't defeat PN so wrath on CN by IN is an exaggeration :disagree:
 
.
... Add to that, with a Chinese base in the southern coast of SL, countries like Japan, US, South Korea, Taiwan and many others will feel threatened. ...

:rofl:

You clearly missed current picture of the grand chessboard. Each and every word of your statement is false.

China is Japan’s number 2 trade partner, why would China tread to make money with Japan?

US is China’s number 1 trade partner. In addition to a ‘stakeholder’ officially recognized by US, China is moreover considered as “in the same boat” by US since the new administration comes into power. Moreover, US has several nearby navy bases. Why should China threatens US and why would US feel threatened?

SK is deeply relying on China for trade as well as for political leverage against NK. China is SK’s second important protector. Why SK will feel threatened?

With the help of mainland China, Taiwan of China recently is more than delighted to be admitted as WHO observer under the name of Chinese Taipei. In addition, PLAN recently successfully saved a cargo ship of Taiwan from Somali pirates’ attack. Taiwan will only feel safer if Chinese do present themselves in the sea-lanes. Why would Taiwan feel threatened?

To the contrary, I would see most of the countries would feel much safer with Chinese presence, not threatened, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, except handful miss-calculating Indian imperialists/expansionists.

In addition, if India can come with an idea that can save money for every one, I wouldn’t surprise to see why China wouldn’t like to see that happen and to utilize it -- even if it would happen in next 50 years, since it seems still in proposed stage.
 
.
From China to Sri Lanka in Defence.
Sri Lanka will get JF-17 and J-10 jets from China.
Sri Lanka will get Navel ships and Fast attack vessels from China.
Sri Lanka will get other military assistance from China.
Sri Lanka will get technical assistance from China.

From China to Sri Lanka in Economic Development.
20 Largest Chinese companies will invest in Sri Lanka.
China will continue to promote Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka.
Currently China is the largest trading partner of Sri Lanka within Asia.
China and Sri Lanka will sign a free trade agreement in the future.
China removed all Tax for Sri Lanka’s Tea Brands in China.
Now zero percent tax for Sri Lanka’s Tea Brands in China.
China will increase financial aid to Sri Lanka. (Now reached $1 billion)
China will invest in development projects in Sri Lanka.

According to some Sri Lankan Source.
 
. .

Latest posts

Pakistan Defence Latest Posts

Back
Top Bottom