Colombo: Sri Lanka allowed Chinese spy ship Yuan Wang-5 to anchor. Sri Lanka’s action comes despite India’s concerns over the Chinese ship reaching the Lankan coast. Sri Lankan Harbor Master Nirmal P. said that the Ministry of External Affairs has given permission for the ship to anchor at the Chinese-supervised Hambantota port in Sri Lanka from August 16 to 22. Silva clarified.
Sources related to the Sri Lankan government responded that India did not give a satisfactory answer to Sri Lanka’s question as to why it should not be given permission and that is why it has proceeded with the steps to give permission.
China claims that the Yuan Wang-5 ship is being used for research and survey purposes. But it is said that this is a ship that can be used for espionage. This is what worries India.
India is concerned that the ship may have leaked information about India’s military movements. India is also worried about China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka.
On August 11, China had sought Sri Lanka’s permission to anchor at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port. But after India expressed concern, Sri Lanka asked China to delay the voyage. The Chinese ship sought permission to anchor off the Sri Lankan coast from August 11 to 17.