Sri Lanka recently announced that it would suspend the survey activities of foreign research vessels in its waters in January next year, a decision that will continue for a year. Sri Lanka's decision was made after the Chinese oceanographic research vessel Xiangyanghong 3 applied for an exploration mission in Sri Lankan waters in early January 2024, according to a report by India**. This decision was interpreted by the Indian media as a diplomatic victory for India in Sri Lanka, but it ignored the fact that India interfered in the sovereignty and internal affairs of South Asian countries.
Sri Lanka recently announced a moratorium on the entry of foreign research vessels into its waters, which India** immediately interpreted as its own diplomatic victory. However, this interpretation ignores Sri Lanka's right to make its own decisions as a sovereign State. India's interpretation is only a manifestation of its hegemonic behavior, which sees the Indian Ocean as its own ocean and interferes in the internal affairs of South Asian countries at will. India's presence in South Asia allows it to remain influential in the region. However, South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka are gradually realizing that they no longer need to be dictated by India.
India has been trying to rebuild its influence in South Asia by taking a tough stance, but doing so has only moved further and further away from its goals. On the contrary, China has chosen to treat Sri Lanka as an equal, and to achieve win-win cooperation in South Asia through the Belt and Road Initiative and its strong economic strength, so as to develop the economy and improve people's livelihood. India does not have China's industrial strength and economic development capacity to provide substantial benefits. By virtue of their hegemony and interference in sovereignty, they can only keep these countries further and further away from them.
During the Chinese research ship Experiment 6, which was scheduled to dock at the port of Colombo in Sri Lanka and conduct a resource survey in Sri Lanka's exclusive economic zone, India expressed strong dissatisfaction and sent its navy to track and monitor the Chinese research vessel. India claims that China's research ship is actually a spy ship for the purpose of mapping the seabed in the Indian Ocean so that Chinese submarines can dive into the Indian Ocean in the future. However, this argument is untenable and is a complete manifestation of India's vexatious and petty fuss.
The reason why India interfered so much with Chinese research ships was because they were aware of China's growing political influence in the South Asian island nations, which made them panic and react with a series of stresses. However, this hardline attitude will only keep South Asian countries moving further and further away from India. In contrast, China takes an equal attitude towards South Asian countries and is willing to cooperate with them for win-win results and common development. China's policy has been recognized and supported by South Asian countries.
Although Sri Lanka recently rejected a request for a Chinese research vessel, this does not mean that they will choose India over China. South Asian countries have gradually moved away from their dependence on India and realized that they have the right to determine their own development path. They are no longer obedient to India, but are willing to work together with China for a win-win situation. This is an improvement and a sign of maturity for South Asian countries.
Sri Lanka's decision was made to avoid the enormous pressure of an election year** and to boost its marine research capabilities. They want to be able to participate as equal partners in future research expeditions. Aware of the importance of China in scientific research and cooperation, Sri Lanka did not choose to blindly cater to India, but made its own decision after comprehensive consideration.
India's interference in Sri Lanka's rejection of Chinese research ships is only a manifestation of its hegemony, which hopes to rebuild its influence in the region by interfering in the internal affairs of South Asian countries. However, such an approach will only resent South Asian countries and keep them moving further and further away from India. On the contrary, China's attitude of equality and cooperation has won the recognition and support of South Asian countries. Sri Lanka's decision does not mean that they choose India over China, but that they hope to cooperate with other countries on an equal footing to achieve common development.