Sri Lanka cannot afford to play games with India : Yuan Wang’s Arrives At Hambantota Port
A Chinese envoy said the Hambantota Port was a symbol of China–Sri Lanka friendship
A few das back when India had objected to YUAN WANG Visit, Sri Lanka asked China to “defer” the visit. By that time the vessel had already left its port of origin on July 14 and was in the Indian Ocean. Though the visit has been delayed, following the “security concerns” raised by India and America, Sri Lanka finally permitted the arrival of the tracking ship. There was also a grand welcome accorded to the ship, as it made the port call. This only highlights the strong diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and China, and how the island nation is caught in the geopolitical fight in the Indian Ocean.
As a response, now India should despatch a few naval ship to wait for the Chinese Ship, just outside the territorial waters of Sri Lanka at Habbantota. Thereafter the Ship should be “ escorted “ around Atlanta for a few days. Also the SU30 MkI based in the Southern Air Command should pay a flying visit to the area.
The Chinese tracking vessel Yuan Wang-5,which arrived at the Sri Lanka’s southern Hambantota Port is all set to stay there till August 22. Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, said that the Hambantota Port was not only a major Belt and Road cooperation project, but is also a symbol of China–Sri Lanka friendship. To a specific question on India raising concerns, and the diplomatic tussle over the past few days, he said, “I don’t know. Maybe this is life. This is nature.”
The arrival of Yuan Wang-5 cannot be looked at as the only visit of a Chinese vessel. Tensions in diplomatic ties between India and Sri Lanka will now be there after Colombo allowed the Chinese vessel. A few years back it had permitted the nuclear-powered submarine Changzheng-2 to dock at its port in 2014. Given the technological capabilities of the vessel, India’s southern border, which is strategically close to the Hambantota Port, might be watched.
The ship can track ballistic missiles at the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. Secondly, it can gauge the range and accuracy of Indian missiles. Incidentally, Yuan Wang-5, which set out to sail in July, has not stopped in any of the ports on its way. It has been sailing without any replenishment services till it reached Hambantota. As per the Sri Lankan government, the ship is supposed to be docked at the Hambantota port till August 22 for “replenishment purposes”.
However, sources say that the vessel may also carry out oceanic surveys, which can facilitate submarine operations in the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile Sri Lanka has said that the ship will have to keep its Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched on and is not allowed to carry out any scientific research in the region.
It may be recalled that in 2021, a Chinese survey ship called Xiang Yang Hong-03 carried out search operations west of Sumatra. Xian Yang Hong also carried out operations in the same region in the Indian Ocean. “I would certainly say that, more than the ship by itself, given the technology involved, they may be able to study the strategic assets even from the open sea. The Hambantota Port is on lease with China for 99 years. So, a frequent visit of dual purpose vessels of this kind should be a greater cause for concern. This is the standard practice of every big power in similar circumstances,” said foreign policy analyst N Sathiyamoorthy.
From a foreign policy perspective, Sri Lanka has not assnoted what would happen now that India’s polite requested has got turned down by its southern neighbour. In case something like this happens during conflict along the Himalayan LAC, then IAF and the Indian Navy will have no option but to hit hard both at Chinese ships and the port which facilitates its replenishment. This aspect must be clear to Sri Lanka.
