A Chinese ship equipped with missile and satellite-tracking capabilities has recently docked at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port, raising security concerns for New Delhi. In a further turn of events, NDTV reports that the Xi Jinping government is now also considering sending troops to countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan where China has invested billions of dollars.

When reports of the ship docking at Sri Lanka had first surfaced, New Delhi communicated its concerns to Colombo, where it also reminded the island country of how India had lent a helping hand when its economy was in a freefall. While Sri Lanka paid heed to India’s concerns at first and asked the ship to postpone its docking, it then went back on its word.

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The investments that China has been making around the world are part of its massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). According to this project, the country is looking to invest in infrastructure in 150 countries around the globe, which will in turn give China a voice in diplomatic affairs around the world. 

China has reportedly invested around $60 billion USD in Pakistan and is now in return pressurizing the country to allow it to set up Chinese military outposts within its borders. Notably, China has also made a similar proposal to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, but has not received any positive reply yet.

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NDTV spoke to security officials in Islamabad who are of the opinion that such military outposts are a part of China’s plans to smoothen operations pertaining to the BRI. Moreover, Chinese ambassador to the country, Nong Rong, had also met officials of the Shehbaz Sharif government in order to discuss such plans. The Ambassador is apparently insisting that such measures are required in order to protect the country’s projects and citizens. 

Notably, China is at the moment concerned about its relationship with Afghanistan since the Taliban government has shown little interest in handing over Uyghur insurgents to Beijing. The Taliban have also not denounced Indian presence in Afghanistan, adding to the worries of both China and Pakistan.