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Source: The post is based on the article “Following India, U.S. raises concerns over Chinese vessel’s visit with Sri Lanka government” published in The Hindu on 26th September 2023
What is the News?
India and the U.S. have raised concerns with the Sri Lankan administration over the scheduled visit of a Chinese research vessel to Sri Lanka.
What has happened?
The Chinese research vessel, Shi Yan 6, is part of a geophysical scientific research expedition organized by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
It will operate in the eastern Indian Ocean for 80 days, conducting 28 scientific research projects spanning more than 12,000 nautical miles.It is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka.
This planned visit follows a series of notable events involving Chinese vessels in Sri Lanka.
In 2022, a Chinese warship docked at Colombo port, causing tensions between India and Sri Lanka.
In August 2022, Chinese military ship Yuan Wang 5 arrived at Hambantota port, despite strong reservations expressed by India and the U.S.
What has been the response of the US and China on this?
The U.S. raised its apprehensions about the upcoming visit of the Chinese research vessel.
India had also previously conveyed its concerns about the Chinese research vessel to Sri Lankan authorities.This underscores a growing international interest in the situation.
What is the response of Sri Lanka on this?
Sri Lanka has said that it would adhere to a “Standard Operating Procedure” that the government has recently finalized for all foreign vessels intending to call at a Sri Lankan port.
