US Support for Gaza War Erodes Its Influence in Indian Ocean Zone, Says Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that Washington’s support for Israel in the ongoing Gaza War was diminishing its influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Addressing the seventh Indian Ocean Conference in Perth on Friday, Wickremesinghe predicted that countries in the western Indian Ocean will not seek a “rapprochement” with the US for due to its support for Israel.

“The Indian Ocean stability therefore requires an early end to the Gaza War, followed by the establishment within five years of an independent state of Palestine and security guarantees for the state of Israel,” Wickremesinghe stated.

The Sri Lankan President highlighted that “Russian, Chinese and Iranian strategies” were successfully biting at American hegemony in the region, which was further contributing to the weakening of the US.

Wickremesinghe said that the Indian Ocean countries have historically resisted “domination by a single power”, adding that multipolarity was reflected in the people and cultures of the region.

He went on to express concerns over the increasing “militarisation” of the Indian Ocean Region due to military build-ups by regional powers and the “great-power rivalry” between China and the US.

Ukraine Conflict Reshaping Geopolitics of Indian Ocean Region

Wickremesinghe noted that the Ukraine conflict and the consequent western sanctions had led to Moscow finding new markets in China and the western Indian Ocean.

“Russian crude oil is refined in Gulf refineries… Russia has developed a closer friendship with Iran… Russia is carrying out naval exercises with Indian Ocean countries, including Myanmar and South Africa,” underscored Wickremesinghe.

In his address, the Sri Lankan President also emphasised the importance of increasing connectivity in the Indian Ocean due to the growing Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) of countries such as India and Indonesia.

He reckoned that the Suez Canal route may not be able to meet the transportation needs of an economically growing region.

Wickremesinghe said that new connectivity projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) connecting India to Russia through Iran as well as the proposed India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) were “welcome” initiatives.

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