Sri Lanka grants docking permission to Chinese research vessel amidst pressure from India and US

Sri Lanka has given permission for a Chinese research ship to dock in one of its ports despite doubts expressed by nearby India about the integrity of the mission, which could cover up a spying operation, and by the United States, interested in any exercise of Chinese influence in the region.

Initially, the ‘Yuan Wang 5’ was due to arrive at a port in Hambantota, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, on August 11. However, the sensitive issue has ultimately caused the postponement of its arrival until next Tuesday, reports Sri Lankan national media.

The postponement occurred after “certain concerns” were raised, according to the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, while from New Delhi indicated the initiation of operations to study the trip in relation to the security and economic interests of India, which “takes all necessary measures to safeguard them.”

The United States has also been pressuring the Sri Lankan government to revoke Chinese access to the port, the ‘Washington Post’ reported earlier, citing an unnamed Sri Lankan official.

India and the US also argue that allowing the visit would amount to special treatment of China as the country seeks to renegotiate its debt and seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after months of political upheaval, the media outlet said.

The Hambantota port, more than a decade old, has been plagued by controversy as the government had to borrow heavily to build it. When Sri Lanka was unable to repay the loans, it granted China a 99-year lease on the facility for debt relief.