Diplomatic circles abuzz with planned visit of New Delhi based European Defence Attaches

The talk of the town these days, particularly within diplomatic circles is the visit of the New Delhi based Defence Attaches of European countries to Colombo.

Both, the Defense Attaches of Germany and France accredited to Sri Lanka are on a visit to the island. They called on Tri-forces commanders and the Foreign Secretary, a one-time Naval chief during their trip.

As the Indo- Pacific region is gaining significance in recent times with the US In do-Pacific policy and the Quadrangular Defence Service Agreement initiatives are put into motion, Sri Lanka is also becoming a new player in the region due to its strategic location in the Indian ocean. The Europeans also would like to protect their interests in the region, and not be left out of the emerging equation.

Just the other day France blew a fuse when they realised that the US, UK and Australia had kept a huge nuclear submarine contract away from it in a new strategic exercise to counter China.

The German embassy in Colombo said that the visit is to make necessary preparations for the port visit of the German Navy ship Fregatte Bayern, planned in January next year. The German ship started its half-year long journey to Asia in early August and she is scheduled to return home by February next year.