Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Priyanga Wickramasinghe told PTI on Wednesday that Colombo was currently processing a request by China to allow its research ship ‘SHI YAN 6’ to dock in the country.
The request is expected to raise alarms in India and comes almost a year after India raised security concerns over a similar call by China.
The Vessel
Chinese research vessel ‘SHI YAN 6’ will arrive in Sri Lanka in late October for marine research activities.
The research vessel has a carrying capacity of 1115 DWT, and its current draught is reportedly 5.3 metres. The vessel’s length overall (LOA) is 90.6 metres, and its width is 17 metres.
Chinese state broadcaster CGTN calls the vessel a “scientific research vessel” crewed by 60 people. It carries out oceanography, marine geology, and marine ecology tests.
#China has requested permission for a research ship to dock in #SriLanka, Colombo said, following a visit by a spacecraft-tracking vessel last year that sparked security concerns from #India.https://t.co/6muytf81dw
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) August 23, 2023
The Sri Lanka Mirror reported that the vessel was scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka before the COVID-19 pandemic, but was delayed multiple times.
According to reports, the vessel will undertake joint research with the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARDA).
India’s Concerns
There are reports that India has raised concerns about the request as it fears China might use the vessel to spy. This has put Colombo in an awkward position.
Sri Lankan Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said that he was not aware of any report of concerns on the part of India and the government would pay attention to it.
“Under our non-aligned policy, countries are given equal opportunities without any favours,” he added.
However, India’s fears of Chinese vessels being used for spying are not new.
Earlier this month, India raised concerns about the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warship HAI YANG 24 HAO arriving in Colombo for a two-day visit.
While the 129-metre-long vessel’s arrival was delayed by a week due to Indian apprehensions, ultimately, it arrived in Colombo on a formal visit.
Last year, the Chinese research vessel Yuan Wang 5, known for its spacecraft tracking, arrived in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port for a week.
#SriLanka is currently processing a request by #China to allow a research ship to dock in the country, a year after a visit by a Chinese spy vessel to the Island nation raised security concerns in #India.https://t.co/hOveROAvMz
— Business Standard (@bsindia) August 23, 2023
As New Delhi called it a “spy ship” and raised concerns with Sri Lanka, Colombo assuaged India’s worries by asking China not to partake in any research activities while on Sri Lankan waters. Meanwhile, China slammed India’s apprehensions as “unjustified.”
Sri Lanka’s Balancing Act
The strategically located island nation has been undergoing a severe economic crisis since it defaulted on its $46 billion external debt in April last year.
As the country attempts to recover from the economic gaffe, it is caught between the two giant neighbours, which have been increasingly hostile towards each other.
China owns more than half of the country’s debt, making Beijing’s support in the country’s recovery crucial. India has also extended help to the tune of $4 billion and lobbied for the hastening of the country’s recovery process.
Sri Lanka seeks to maintain a balancing act between India and China, with the former seeking to regain its lost influence.