Chinese research ships banned for one year
India Sri Lanka: India had expressed strong objection to the arrival of the Chinese spy ship in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. This Chinese spy ship was actually a research ship. But the possibilities of espionage were also not ruled out. Sri Lanka understood this strong objection i.e. India’s concerns on Chinese ships and Sri Lanka has banned research ships for one year.
Sri Lanka has announced a one-year ban on entry of foreign research vessels into its waters amid India’s concern over Chinese research vessels stopping in its neighbourhood. The ban is ostensibly meant to build capacity, but is seen as a response to growing concerns in India.
Chinese research ship stopped at Colombo port
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Niluka Kadurugamuwa said on Friday that the moratorium applies to all countries and will allow local researchers to build capacity on par with their foreign counterparts in joint research. In recent years, Chinese ships have stopped in Colombo for research based on agreements between Chinese and Sri Lankan agencies. Last October, the Chinese research ship ‘Shi Yan 6’ docked in Colombo port for several days, while in 2022, the naval ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ docked in Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka.
India feared espionage
There were fears in India that these ships could be used to monitor the area. China is trying to increase its influence in Sri Lanka, which lies on one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, in what India considers a key strategic area.
Latest World News