‘Respect individuality and security’, says Sri Lanka

(NIE) THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Any country that makes foray into the Indian Ocean region should take into account ‘geo-political realities’ and also the ‘individuality and security’ of countries in that region, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Sudarshan Senevirante has said.

The High Commissioner was replying to a question from ‘Express’ during a press conference here on Thursday, when asked about China’s increased military presence in the Indian Ocean region.

Senevirante, without naming any country, said that apart from ‘geo-political realities’, the ‘individuality and security of countries (in the region) should be taken into account’ when other countries enter the region.

According to recent reports, the presence of Chinese submarines was detected in the Indian Ocean region. There were also reports that the Chinese navy had acquired a base in Maldives which is located in the Indian Ocean region.