Ex-Sri Lankan Navy Chief Sees Russia’s Function in Maritime Safety Off Somalia After US Exit

09:09 GMT 31.12.2020Get quick URL

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia can assume a extra lively function in guaranteeing maritime safety within the Indian Ocean adjoining to Somalia after the US has determined to withdraw its troops from the African nation, Admiral Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne, the previous сhief of defence employees of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and the Sri Lankan Navy’s commander, mentioned.

“Attainable US troop withdrawal for Somalia has raised considerations. Even small variety of pirates are capable of create a notion of menace to all the Indian Ocean area at a crucial maritime choke level … I really feel Russia additionally ought to take lively function off Somalia,” Wijegunaratne mentioned.

Though the worldwide forces have managed to curb the Somalian pirate assaults in recent times, the specter of piracy within the Indian Ocean nonetheless exists and Sri Lanka is uncovered to it, the the previous naval official mentioned.

“The presence of multinational naval forces within the Gulf of Aden diminished the incidence of piracy assaults, however they could enhance with multinational navy shift in focus as they’ll change their function from ‘anti-piracy’ extra in direction of ‘regional safety’,” Wijegunaratne added.

Earlier within the month, outgoing US President Donald Trump  ordered withdrawal of virtually all US troops from Somalia. The Protection Division mentioned some troops is likely to be reassigned to different elements of Africa.

The waters off the Horn of Africa have been a hotspot of pirate exercise over the previous decade owing to persevering with turmoil Somalia and the ensuing social deprivation. The area’s proximity to the Pink Sea, which leads the Mediterranean by the Suez Canal, makes its maritime safety an particularly delicate space within the international commerce.

Russia Could Assist Hold Ocean Peaceable Amid India-China Row

Russia might assist Sri Lanka maintain the Indian Ocean peaceable amid the escalation of tensions between China and India, with whom each Colombo and Moscow keep good relations, Admiral Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne mentioned.

“The escalation of China-India battle impacts not solely Sri Lanka, however the entire area. It won’t be restricted to the world of dispute – the border area – however will influence international commerce. Any disruption international provide chain and vitality will lead to international financial repercussions which is able to have an effect on us all … Russia may also help the Sri Lankan international coverage to maintain standing of Indian Ocean a ‘zone of peace’ inside a transparent authorized and safety framework,” Wijegunaratne mentioned.

Sri Lanka is sticking to the non-aligned international coverage and sees the significance of sustaining good relations with India and China, its main commerce companions, the previous navy official famous.

“Being impartial permits Sri Lanka to have a way more versatile international coverage, like India. The phrase ‘neutrality’ got here to be our international coverage primarily because of India’s conventional coverage shift to a non-aligned motion because it was restricted in flexibility and motion when coping with China and when there is no such thing as a clear energy blocks like within the Chilly Battle,” Wijegunaratne mentioned.

Russia, on its half, ought to proceed its efforts to mediate the battle between India and China because it enjoys a balanced method in direction of sustaining relations with the each international locations, based on the admiral.

“Russia can mediate considerations of each international locations with a balanced diplomatic effort on equal phrases. The management initiative is critical to keep up a good worldwide order, by which the train of nice energy competitors is constrained or regulated by multilateral establishments, guidelines and norms,” Wijegunaratne confused.

Border conflicts are a everlasting fixture of India-China relations, because the international locations wouldn’t have a marked border however quite the Line of Precise Management, created after the 1962 struggle between the nations. Nevertheless, the tensions grew to become extra strained on account of skirmishes that began in late Could between the international locations’ border forces. Regardless of the international locations’ diplomats and navy officers participating in talks to de-escalate tensions, either side have continued to spice up their forces within the area.

Sri Lanka Ought to Stay Freed from Overseas Navy Bases

Sri Lanka ought to proceed to chorus from internet hosting any international navy bases because it wants to keep up good relations with all international powers, particularly India, and keep out of geopolitical tensions, Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne mentioned.

“No international bases would be the finest reply with our personal home and worldwide points. Sri Lanka is significant to strategic stake for India, it can not afford to be the nationwide sovereignty and safety concern to India. Our leaders will strictly observe a ‘non-aligned’ standing always. Sri Lanka is a really engaging vacationer vacation spot. We need to be good friend of all and haven’t any enemies,” Wijegunaratne mentioned.

Regardless of Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the midst of main commerce routes within the Indian Ocean, it “comes with some challenges to be a non-aligned impartial nation and to navigate rigorously on this advanced geopolitical and potential future space of battle of curiosity,” the previous navy official confused.

Through the years, there have been reviews that the US is likely to be in search of to arrange a navy base in Sri Lanka. On the similar time, the US management has accused China of making an attempt to create a navy base on the Hambantota Port, which Colombo leased to Beijing for 99 years after failing to repay the money owed. Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan authorities have maintained that the port is used just for industrial functions.