India has raised concerns over China’s Research Vessel the Shi Yan 6’s stop in Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to be later in October 2023.
Even though Sri Lanka has not yet officially given its consent for the Chinese vessel to dock at Hambantota and also Colombo, India believes that the government of Sri Lanka will grant China’s wish even though Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe provided his assurance to India during his recent visit that Sri Lanka will continue to protect and support India’s concerns regarding its maritime security.
China’s Research Vessel ‘Shi Yan 6’
Incidentally it was only barely a year ago that Sri Lanka permitted China’s ballistic missile tracking vessel the Yuang Wang 5 to berth in Hambantota.
Furthermore, another Chinese vessel the Hai Yang 24 was berthed in the Colombo Port and departed just a few days ago.
A news outlet reporting this matter stated that according to reliable sources attached to Sri Lanka’s National Aquatic Resources (NARA), they are set to commence an extensive survey on board the vessel encompassing both the exclusive economic zone of the island and also the region of the southern Indian Ocean.
It further added that the Indian government had released no official word on the matter.
Meanwhile the Hindustan Times in India had reported that officials were engaging with Sri Lanka at the highest diplomatic levels regarding this development.
Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean has been of immense interest to China especially in its quest in encircling the Indian Ocean Region. China has over the years invested immensely with governments of countries such as Sri Lanka and as recently Cambodia, in order to facilitate its naval presence and in allowing them to extend its powers across the Indian Ocean.
