In the latest, China’s Colombo embassy has called for an urgent meeting with senior officials in the island nation as Colombo sought to indefinitely postpone the planned docking of the ship.
India had shared its concerns with Sri Lanka regarding the scheduled docking of Chinese space and satellite tracking research vessel Yuan Wang 5 at Hambantota port from August 11 to 17.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said in a note to the Chinese embassy on 5 August, “The Ministry wishes to request that the arrival of the ship Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota be postponed until further advice on the matter.” ”
Some Sri Lankan news portals also reported that President Ranil Wickremesinghe held an in-camera meeting with Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong after Colombo sought to postpone the planned docking. But the President’s Office denied these reports.
The previous Sri Lankan government of Gotabaya Rajapaksa had approved the docking of the Chinese vessel on July 12, hours before fleeing the country for the Maldives. At the time, Sri Lanka said that the Chinese vessel would dock for “refueling and replenishment”.
However, India opposed the clearance given to the Chinese ship along with Sri Lanka, citing threats to its national security. Yuan Wang 5 is a dual-use spy, research and survey vessel employed for specific use in space and satellite tracking and intercontinental ballistic missile launch, according to reports.
India said it carefully monitors any developments that affect its security and economic interests. New Delhi is concerned about the possibility that the ship’s tracking systems may be attempting to spy on Indian installations en route to the Sri Lankan port.
The ship is under the control of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) under its Strategic Support Force (SSF) unit. SSF focuses on space, cyber and electronic warfare.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene said last week that the country looked forward to resolving the issue with a “friendship approach”.
India has traditionally taken a tough stand on Chinese military ships in the Indian Ocean and has opposed such visits with Sri Lanka in the past.
Relations between India and Sri Lanka were strained in 2014 after Colombo allowed a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine to dock in one of its ports.
India’s concerns have been particularly focused on the Hambantota port. In 2017, Colombo leased the southern port to a Chinese company for 99 years after Sri Lanka was unable to meet its loan repayment commitments, fueling fears over the port’s potential use for military purposes.
(with agency input)