US official backs Sri Lankan foreign vessel ban

The blocking of foreign research vessels in Sri Lankan ports is a “step in the right direction” a senior US official says, as increasing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean raises eyebrows.

In January, Sri Lanka imposed a one-year moratorium on all foreign research vessels entering its waters over concerns from neighbouring India about Chinese ships in the region.

The Sri Lankan foreign ministry on January 13 described the move as an opportunity to build capacity for joint research with foreign counterparts in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

But in the background, the US and India have protested visits of Chinese vessels to Sri Lankan docks. Meanwhile, the 99-year lease of Hambantota Port to China signed in 2017 has raised concern about militarisation of the area.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference in Perth on Friday, US Navy Rear Admiral and National Security Council South Asia senior director, Eileen Laubacher, said the growing influence of China in the Indian Ocean could not be ignored.

“We have seen Sri Lanka of late make changes to their own decision making with regards to Chinese research vessels and those kinds of decisions that they're making, which I think are steps in the right direction,” she said.

“I think the way to influence countries, make changes and help them to see things clearly, is to provide them with information that allows them to understand better what the motivations of the (People’s Republic of China) might be.

“Then they can make their own decisions as to what is best for their security.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong would not be drawn on whether she wanted to see more countries follow Sri Lanka’s lead when asked by Indian press at the event.

“We want to ensure that there is a strategic balance in the region so that no one country can determine outcomes and no one country can constrain the choices that other countries have,” Senator Wong said.

“Those are sovereign choices for those nations.”

The two-day Indian Ocean Conference attracted 400 delegates from across the world to discuss stability in the Indian Ocean.

It was the first time Australia has hosted the conference.

US-India relations

The US contingent at the meet comes as the US and India deepen economic and military ties while trouble brews on India’s borders.

Rear admiral Laubacher said the two nations were developing close ties to protect commerce in the western Indian Ocean and grow both nations’ presence in Africa, where they hope to undertake trilateral partnerships in renewable energy, communications and public health projects.

Partnerships between the US and India have spanned data sharing, semiconductors, quantum AI, space and telecommunications, and it is hoped biotechnology, clean energy and advanced metals will be added to the list.

Rear admiral Laubacher said growing tension on the Indo-Chinese border was an opportunity for the US to expand its influence in India.

“We don’t necessarily want to force countries to choose between co-operation with the US and China,” she said.

“What we want them to do is see the differences in what we offer and be able to be free to make the choices they think are in their best interest.

“For the US and Australia we do view that as an opportunity to grow our own partnership and collaboration with India, but they want to handle that issue bilaterally and we respect that.”