PM will discuss growing influence of China with Sri Lanka

Defence expert Qamar Agha on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take up the matter of growing Chinese influence in the region with the Sri Lankan government during his upcoming visit to that island nation.

Agha also expressed concern over China's plans to 'encircle' India by building its defence bases in the region.

"India is not alone, even Sri Lankans don't want their country to be used by the Chinese military. The new government in Sri Lanka doesn't want all these things. Chinese plans to build port, dams and other things in this region is causing great concern to us," Agha told ANI.

"Their plan on Maritime routes, silk route, road connectivity, rail connectivity is basically a part of encirclement if India. The Prime Minister will discuss all these issues, and the government there has promised that it will not allow its soil to be used by any other country against India," he added.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi embarked on his five-day, three-nation visit to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister will arrive in Sri Lanka on Friday where he will hold meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and other senior leaders across the political spectrum.