With eyes on China and India, Sri Lanka lifts ban on foreign research vessels

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed late last month that a committee was working on new standard operating procedures for granting clearance to foreign research vessels and aircraft. The guidelines would consider international best practices and national security concerns alongside the country’s national interests, Herath said.

But the move raises questions about Colombo’s ability to navigate the competing agendas of its two most influential partners.

Frédéric Grare, a senior research fellow at the Australian National University’s National Security College, described Sri Lanka’s approach as an attempt “to be as non-aligned as possible”.