A planned naval exercise between Pakistan and Sri Lanka near Trincomalee was recently shelved following concerns raised by India, multiple sources confirmed.
Trincomalee, located on Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast, holds strategic significance in the Indian Ocean, particularly for India’s maritime security.
The joint drill was part of regular engagements between the two navies and was scheduled to take place off Trincomalee.
The decision to cancel the exercise came after India conveyed its apprehensions to the Sri Lankan government.
The proposed exercise was planned weeks ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo.
Although the navies of Pakistan and Sri Lanka share cordial ties and often conduct port visits and exercises, there was no official statement from either country regarding the cancellation.
Military experts highlighted Trincomalee’s strategic importance, stating it can influence the Bay of Bengal and much of the northeast Indian Ocean, justifying India’s concerns.
One expert noted that Pakistan’s close naval cooperation with China further heightened India’s apprehensions over the exercise.
India’s concerns are also rooted in past incidents, such as the docking of the Chinese tracking ship Yuan Wang in Hambantota in 2022 and another Chinese warship in Colombo in 2023, both of which sparked diplomatic unease.
In recent years, India has increased efforts to assist Sri Lanka in developing Trincomalee’s energy infrastructure, particularly the revitalization of its oil tank farms.
During Modi’s recent visit, India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE finalized an agreement to develop Trincomalee into an energy hub to support Sri Lanka’s energy security and economic growth.
India and Sri Lanka also signed a new defence cooperation pact, signaling a strengthened military relationship after decades of strained ties.
The agreement marks a renewed effort to institutionalize military collaboration between the two countries.
India has also bolstered Sri Lanka’s maritime capabilities, including the handover of a Dornier surveillance aircraft to support immediate security needs.
These developments come amid India’s strategic push to counter growing Chinese influence in Sri Lanka.
