Govt: Tracking Chinese research vessel moving towards Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI, JULY 28

The government carefully monitors any development having a bearing on India’s security and economic interests, and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said here on Thursday on reports that a Chinese research vessel would dock at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port on August 11.

The Belt & Road Initiative Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan consulting firm, recently said on its website that Chinese scientific research vessel “Yuan Wang 5” would enter the Hambantota port on August 11 for a week.

“The vessel will conduct space tracking, satellite control and research tracking in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean Region through August and September,” it said.

“I think that should be a clear message,” said Bagchi. He may be indicating India’s resolve to closely shadow the research vessel if after leaving Hambantota it enters its exclusive economic zone without prior permission. This happened in September 2019 when Indian vessels harassed and forced a Chinese research vessel to leave in its exclusive economic zone near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In January, Indian vessels shadowed two Chinese survey vessels spotted near Andaman and Nicobar Islands.