Tensions rise in India, Sri Lanka hands over 540 acres of Hambantota port to China

New Delhi, 29 May 2021, Saturday

Even in the Corona era, China has maintained its strategy of encircling India from all sides. Now China, along with Sri Lanka, has increased India's tension.

The Port City Economic Commission Bill has recently been passed in the Sri Lankan Parliament. As part of this, Sri Lanka has ceded 540 acres of its Hambantota port to China. The port is only 550 km from Kanyakumari in India. Thus, China has forever found a strategic place to keep an eye on India. In other words, the distance between China and India is only 550 km to the south.

The Sri Lankan government assured India that no such decision would be taken by us. Sri Lanka has given 540 acres of land to China by passing this bill. Thus, China, which had mobilized against India in Ladakh, is now preparing to encircle India through Sri Lanka.

Earlier in 2018, the Sri Lankan government had decided to build a naval base at the port of Hambantota. Because China feared that foreign powers could harm China's interests here.

The port of Hambantota is where the shipping route between Asia and Europe passes. The Chinese company has leased the port for 99 years. The port could play a major role in China's One Belt and One Road project.

The United States has expressed concern about the port. Japan also fears that China will use the port as its naval base. However, the Sri Lankan government says China is not allowed to use the port for military purposes.