Highlights
- Sri Lanka allowed the controversial Chinese vessel 'Yuan Wang 5' to dock at Hambantota port
- Decision by crisis-hit nation comes after controversy and a diplomatic tussle between India, China
- Lanka announced that it has given permission for the vessel to be docked at the port on August 16
Sri Lanka on Saturday informed that it has allowed the controversial Chinese vessel 'Yuan Wang 5' to dock at the island's southernmost port, the Chinese-run Hambantota. The decision by the crisis-hit nation comes after a wide controversy and a diplomatic tussle between India and China.
The Foreign Ministry announced that it has given permission for the vessel to be docked at the port on August 16. Sri Lanka had earlier received strong messages of protests from India as the ship was said to have the capability to track satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles, several media report suggested.
Described as a research and survey vessel, but alleged to be a spy ship, the Chinese vessel was originally planned to reach Hambantota on August 11 but its arrival was deferred following Sri Lanka's request to postpone the arrival indefinitely.
When Sri Lanka requested a postponement of the arrival, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin protested and charged halting of the vessel from entering the Hambantota Port was "completely unjustified" and accused India, claiming "certain countries" put pressure on Sri Lanka, claiming "security concerns".
On July 12, diplomatic clearance for the Chinese vessel to make a call at the Hambantota Port from August 11-17, for replenishment purposes, was conveyed by the Foreign Ministry to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.
But following concerns by India and other political parties and experts, the Ministry communicated to the Chinese mission to defer the ship visit.
On Friday, India rejected claims that it has put pressure on Sri Lanka to not allow 'Yuan Wang 5' to visit Hambantota port.
"We reject categorically the 'insinuation' and such statement about India. Sri Lanka is a sovereign country and makes its own independent decisions," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said.
(IANS inputs)
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