US -Indian Ocean strategy – Does it Conflict with Indian Interest? Pentagons recent actions in Sri Lanka does raise some serious questions for India.
Author: Major Madhan Kumar ( Retd ), Geopolitical Analyst
https://twitter.com/major_madhan
America’s Two Air force planes,’C-17 Globe master’ landed at Katunayake Airport on Feb 18, 2023. Sources at the Katunayake International Airport told that these two special US Air Force planes reached Sri Lanka from a US Military Base in Greece. But still, the details of the arrival of these planes have not yet been disclosed by Colombo and the mission said it is not ready to offer any comment regarding this inquiry.
C-17 is known for its rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo from the deployment area. Whereas only 29 members aboded the plane at KIA airport, including higher Defence officials of the United States of America. The two US Air Force planes left the next day.
Who visited the Island and Why?
The American delegations who came to Sri Lanka on two Globe master planes include US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah R. Royal. It’s making no sense to bring in two such aircraft for a delegation that included only 29 people. Just a few days back William Burns, head of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, made a secret visit to the country last month(14-Feb,2023). This alleged visit raised many controversial questions because Burns was scheduled to fly to Nepal from Sri Lanka for an 18hrs stay on February 14, but he was barred from visiting the country.
Interestingly, this flight was not subject to immigration controls, and some visitors have no records of entry into the island.
Four proposals on Sri Lanka’s security:
These arrivals may be related to important agreements such as SOFA, ACSA, and MCC. These included,
1. The setting up of an Intelligence Analysis Center.
2. The donation of a biometric immigration control system.
3. The granting of access to submarine telecommunications cables and data, and the review of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement):
The agreement aims to establish the legal status of foreign military personnel and their activities in the host country. This covers legal jurisdiction over military personnel, the status of military facilities and equipment, the rights and privileges of the military personnel and their families, and the procedures for resolving disputes between the two countries.
SOFA firing Sri Lanka:
SOFA is another Lanka’s controversial agreement the US was proposing the Acquisition and Cross Services Agreement (ACSA) signed first in 2007 and renewed in 2017. Some of the provisions in SOFA include diplomatic immunity, privileges, and local laws. The Lankan government has not yet signed a new (SOFA) agreement, but still has been discussing a new draft that has more add-ons than the previous one, which would give the US forces unrestricted access to Sri Lankan facilities as well as diplomatic immunity.
Sri Lanka Now on Global interests, why so?
Trincomalee port and Hambantota port of Sri Lanka have strategic significance and are not just only economic and energy supplies related, its facilities are dual-use in nature and much more. Now we have a clear picture of why Sri Lanka is of interest to several countries, including India, Japan, China, and the US.
ACSA:
The ACSA provides for joint military cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United States. This includes logistic support, supplies, services, and the use of airports and ports during “unforeseen circumstances”. While the 2007 ACSA permits US military vessels to anchor in Sri Lanka ports on a ‘one-off’ basis, the 2017 ACSA appears to be “open-ended”. Many concerns have been raised regarding the country’s internal security.
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC):
MCC is a bilateral United States foreign aid agency that has pledged to continue working with Sri Lanka to advance the proposed $ 480 million compact. This debt-trapped island country with a significant amount of money also has some oversight obligations. Sri Lanka is definitely facing a headache due to ‘great power competition ‘.
Indo-Pacific region Setting its Priorities now:
We can witness that the world is slowly shifting its geopolitical game from the 1980s to the 20th century in Indo Pacific region. Indo-Pacific has now emerged as one of the pivotal theatres of interstate contestation and competition among great power countries like China, the USA, and Japan. China’s Maritime expansion in Sri Lanka has threatened the USA and made it come back into the Indo-Pacific construct to counter its adversaries. All these strategic dynamics and US defence agreements are to keep Chinese aggressions at bay. Sri Lanka, in particular, is an aid recipient of both the United States and China.
India’s approach to gain in Indo-Pacific and assuring its Internal Security:
Debt-trapped Sri Lanka’s handing over of Hambantota port to the Chinese on lease have already raised concerns for India. India’s approach to its neighborhood is focused and should be on balancing China and the US through alternative multilateral collaborations. This has depicted President Wickremesinghe as pursuing the US agenda and once again warned India to keep Sri Lanka in control. However, to achieve its strategic goals, India needs to be cautious in its dealings with China and the US.
It is important for India to enhance its monitoring, control, surveillance, and enforcement mechanisms with its neighboring countries through increased regional cooperation and collaboration. India’s vision is not directed against any country, but it is important for India to keep a close eye on developments in its neighborhood and take appropriate measures to safeguard its interests. By focusing on regional collaboration and cooperation, India can effectively manage its security threats and maintain its position in the region.