An echo is a reflection of a sound wave returning from a distant object. Radar (radio detection & ranging), Sonar (sound navigation & ranging) & Lidar (light detection & ranging) operates on a similar principle.

It was reported that India is worried about China setting up a radar base in southern SL. It is worth analyzing who actually is worried. SL should send an echo to the past to see how closely they have worked with the Indian & Chinese civilisations to get a reflection of what they have economically achieved. Indian culture upgraded SL to be on Chinese radar two thousand years ago. During the maritime Silk Road (700 ago) SL fell on Chinese radar again when Chinese admiral Zheng He was working closely with India than SL. For centuries it was not a challenge for SL or the two empires.

China is expanding its outreach with the Belt & Road initiative. Especially in the recent weeks global acceptance for Chinese bilateral cooperation has increased in an unprecedented way (Ref. Media). Debt stricken SL is struggling to come out of an economic crisis. Reforming the economy in an unprecedented way is the only way out. Those who doesn’t like China rising may push SL to the wall using its fragile state but SL should know that the BRI is the foremost opportunity to reach its sustainable development goals. The Hambantota port will play a key role in that attempt & having an advanced radar system supporting international maritime & air traffic activity will eventually make Hambantota an attractive sea/air port. It should be viewed as a peace approach to develop global trade. Those who don’t know how peaceful human civilizations operate may see it as an attempt to wage war.  India is already working closely with China along the BRICS partnership. Although India is a member of the QUAD due to geopolitical balancing, India is working with Russia for mutual benefit. Due to the size of India’s mega markets, those worried about rising China has little or nothing to corner India within Indo-pacific equations.

Protecting SL interests

China being a super power has the capacity to operate floating radar stations in the international waters if not in Hambantota. SL being a sovereign state has the freedom to decide how it should work with its friends. India has the capacity to operate high power radars in the south (in & around SL) & it would be surprising if they don’t operate such at present. So there is a win-win power balance.

Some view that the story put forward with an Indian taste is a US concern. It may have some truth as Hambantota is close to Diego Garcia base. Since US is still a young civilization with short human civilization experience it may be normal to suspect everyone. One may say it is a sign of weakness. The most recent example is the classified intelligence reports exposed. According to media it seems that the USA has been spying on friends & foes equally.

A statement by late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore is worth reanalyzing. He once said “US administration lacks finesse, depth & judgment or wisdom which comes out of an accumulation of knowledge of humans & human situations over a long period of time”.

(Views expressed are personal)