January 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has communicated to India its decision to prohibit any Chinese research vessel from docking at its ports or operating within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for a duration of one year, the Hindustan Times reported.
The move follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to President Ranil Wickremesinghe to acknowledge and respect Indian strategic and security concerns.
Sri Lanka’s decision implies that the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 will not receive clearance to conduct deep-water exploration in the south Indian Ocean.
The moratorium, declared by the government, was transmitted to India through high-level diplomatic channels last week. This development means that the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3, scheduled for “deep water exploration” in the south Indian Ocean from January 5, 2024, to late May, will not be allowed clearance by Sri Lankan authorities.
Sri Lanka’s decision comes after objections from India and the US regarding Colombo’s engagement with Chinese scientific research vessels and ballistic missile trackers in the Indian Ocean.
The Sri Lankan government declared the one-year moratorium after objections were raised by India and the US over Colombo’s support for Chinese research vessels.
The move is part of heightened concerns regarding China’s activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The objections were raised concerning the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6, which conducted a joint maritime survey with the Sri Lankan maritime agency in October-November.
Despite Indian objections, Colombo allowed the vessel to dock at its seaport after Wickremesinghe’s visit to Beijing for the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on October 17-18.
In the past, Chinese research ships, ballistic missile trackers, and hydrographic vessels have entered the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and conducted deep surveys.
At least 25 Chinese ships, including PLA warships, submarines, ballistic missile trackers, and research vessels, operated in the IOR this year, causing concerns for India and the US.
Since 2019, a total of 48 Chinese scientific research vessels have been deployed in the IOR, primarily focusing on the east and west coastlines of India and the deep Indian Ocean.
