Sri Lanka’s government on Saturday allowed a controversial Chinese research vessel to visit the island despite concerns from neighboring India that it wants to covert agents in New Delhi’s military installations, officials said.
The Yuan Wang 5 is described as a research and survey ship using transport and analysis sites around the world, but is also a dual-use spy ship, according to Indian media.
New Delhi is suspicious of Beijing’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean and influence in Sri Lanka, seeing both as firmly within its sphere of influence.
The Yuan Wang 5 was initially scheduled to call at Sri Lanka’s Chinese-run Hambantota port on August 11, only for Colombo to ask Beijing to postpone the visit indefinitely following India’s objections.
However, Sri Lankan Harbor Master Nirmal P. Silva said that he has received clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs for the ship to call at Hambantota from August 16 to 22.
“Diplomatic clearance was obtained through me today. We will work with the local agent appointed by the ship to ensure delivery at the port,” Silva advised AFP.
According to Indian reports, the Yuan Wang 5 may want to be employed in home and satellite TV for tracking and has specific uses in intercontinental ballistic missile launches.
Indian authorities have raised issues that the ship may have secret agents in its activities and filed a complaint in Colombo.
New Delhi’s foreign ministry said it would “closely monitor any impact on India’s security and financial interests and take all necessary measures to protect them”.
