Around 8.30 am on Tuesday, the Chinese space and satellite tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 arrived at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port after New Delhi expressed security concerns regarding the ship’s earlier scheduled arrival on August 11.
The Indian media has referred to the vessel as a dual-use ship for “spying” on India’s strategic assets in the Indian Ocean Region. Sri Lanka has authorised the vessel for “replenishment” purposes between August 16 and 22.
The Chinese ship was originally scheduled to arrive on August 11, but Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested China to delay the ship’s arrival because of India’s concerns on August 6. In order to resolve the situation in a spirit of “friendship, mutual trust, and constructive dialogue, taking into account the interests of all parties concerned,” the ministry allegedly held “extensive consultations” with all parties involved.
The clearance for the vessel’s delayed arrival from 16 to 22 August 2022 was communicated to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China on August 13, 2022, the ministry had stated. However, Nirmal P. Silva, Sri Lanka’s harbour master, claimed that he had obtained permission from the foreign ministry for the ship to call at Hambantota from August 16 to 22. “I received the diplomatic clearance today. To ensure logistics at the port, we will collaborate with the local representative selected by the vessel, Silva told AFP.
China’s foreign ministry had previously stated that it was “completely unjustified” for some nations to put pressure on Sri Lanka by citing supposed security concerns.
“We urge the relevant parties to see China’s marine scientific research activities in a rational light and stop interfering with regular exchange and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka,” said Wang Wenbin, the ministry’s spokesperson.
On July 28, New Delhi addressed the issue with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and made statements during the MEA’s weekly meetings. According to MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, “India carefully monitors any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests” and “rejected insinuations” that Sri Lanka was being “pressured.”
According to Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of ports, shipping, and waterways, “India is well equipped to handle any challenges brought on by the ship’s arrival.” “Under the dynamistic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are well equipped and prepared to handle any kind of situation effectively. It’s obvious,” Sonowal said.