RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 516
TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2014

CHINESE SUBMARINES DOCKED IN SRI LANKAN PORT

516. SHRI H.K. DUA:
SHRI PAVAN KUMAR VARMA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Chinese submarines have been docking at Sri Lankan ports;
(b) whether such dockings have continued in spite of Government of India having conveyed to Sri Lanka its concerns in the matter;
(c) whether it is also a fact that China has by now replaced Japan as Sri Lanka’s number one donor; and
(d) if so, the reasons Government ascribe to these developments and whether there are any steps it is planning to take in response?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V.K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (d) A conventional (diesel-powered) Chinese submarine berthed at Colombo Port from 7-13 September, 2014 and 31 October- 6 November, 2014. Government of India closely monitors foreign military presence in India's neighbourhood. India and Sri Lanka share a strong and multi-faceted relationship, and cooperate closely on various issues, including defence and security aspects. In this context, the Government has taken up with the Government of Sri Lanka the recent visits of the Chinese submarine to Colombo. Government of Sri Lanka has informed that the submarine visited Colombo for replenishment purposes, and has reassured that the Government of Sri Lanka would not do anything against the security interests of India. Government of India will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard India's security and sovereignty.

China has been one of the important economic partners of Sri Lanka since the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka in 2009. As per available information, China has overtaken Japan as Sri Lanka’s largest donor over the last few years. Sri Lanka-China bilateral trade reached US$ 3.085 billion in 2013 (second only to India).

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