US Indo-Pacific Command Commander, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, stated on Thursday that Sri Lanka’s geostrategic location enables it to influence maritime activities crucial to the entire Pacific region.
Speaking to student officers at the National Defence College in Colombo, Admiral Paparo said, “Sri Lanka’s key position at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean is strategically vital. The island borders crucial sea lanes that connect the Pacific and Indian Oceans with all seas. This geography allows Sri Lanka to influence maritime activities essential to the entire Pacific.”
He continued, “The Indo-Pacific is not just vital to our militaries; it is the engine of global prosperity. These waters carry more than half of the world’s trade, and the security environment we shape today will impact future generations.”
He emphasized, “What happens in these oceans is not isolated, but forms an interconnected security environment across the Pacific and Indian Oceans—and indeed, all seas.”
Addressing the challenges faced, Admiral Paparo remarked, “Nations’ assertive behavior threatens regional stability and international norms, directly impacting the freedom of navigation, which is vital for commerce. We also see increased military cooperation among authoritarian regimes, creating strategic challenges that need urgent attention, making the strengthening of democratic partnerships imperative.”
He highlighted the threat of transnational issues such as terrorism, weapons proliferation, trafficking, and piracy, which undermine security and prosperity. Additionally, he pointed to the technological revolution reshaping maritime security, noting that those who master technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing will shape the future.
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