The Perimeter Watch: Sri Lanka & Maldives | Volume 1 | No 6
The Perimeter Watch: Sri Lanka & Maldives tracks significant diplomatic, defence, and institutional shifts shaping both nations. Sri Lanka dispatches a delegation to Washington to negotiate relief from steep U.S. tariffs, while India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders moves to acquire Colombo Dockyard, signalling a major shift in regional maritime dynamics. Simultaneously, Colombo deepens engagement with China, Vietnam, and Pakistan through MoUs and defence dialogues, while cancelling a naval exercise with Pakistan under Indian pressure. The EU initiates a GSP+ monitoring visit, and Port City Colombo positions itself as South Asia’s fintech hub. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka enforces election law ahead of LG polls and faces climate risks with a severe lightning alert. In the Maldives, Chinese trade envoys promote marine exports under the new FTA, and economic engagement with Türkiye accelerates. India completes a refit of MNDF’s largest vessel, reinforcing strategic ties. Diplomatic gestures follow the Kashmir terror attack, while the launch of overseas ID and e-passport services in Malaysia expands consular reach. Domestically, the Maldives faces UN scrutiny over judicial suspensions and launches the ‘Tradian’ platform to streamline trade. These developments reflect evolving power alignments, institutional assertiveness, and a shared drive for economic resilience across the Indian Ocean Region.
