Sri Lanka grants docking permission to a Chinese research vessel amid pressure from India and the US

Aug. 14 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Sri Lanka has given permission for a Chinese research ship to dock at one of its ports despite doubts expressed by nearby India about the integrity of the mission, which could cover up an espionage 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 ended up causing her arrival to be postponed until next Tuesday, Sri Lankan national media report.

The postponement occurred after “certain concerns” were raised, according to the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, while New Delhi indicated the start of operations to study the trip in relation to the security and economic interests of India, which “take 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 previously reported, citing an anonymous Sri Lankan official.

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

Hambantota’s port, more than a decade old, has been plagued by controversy, as the government had to take out large loans to build it. When Sri Lanka was unable to repay the loans, it gave China a 99-year lease on the facility for debt relief.