'Obviously of interest to India': Jaishankar on Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang 5 docking in Sri Lanka

Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang-5 docked at the strategically important Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.

TN National Desk

Updated Aug 17, 2022, 19:33 IST

Chinese ship Yuan Wang-5

Photo : ANI

Bangkok: Speaking tough on China's decision to dock its ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang 5' in the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that any developments which have a bearing on India's security are "obviously of an interest to us".

Speaking at a Joint Press Conference after the 9th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting and MoU signing ceremony, Jaishankar said, "What happens in our neighbourhood, any developments which have a bearing on our security obviously are of an interest to us."

India had expressed strong reservations against the docking of the high-tech Chinese 'research ship' at the Sri Lankan port which has the capability of mapping the ocean bed.

Notably, mapping of the ocean bed is critical to anti-submarine operations.

Initially, taking note to f India's security concerns, Sri Lanka had asked China to defer the visit of its vessel, however, Colombo granted the port access to the ship from August 16 to 22.

The island country said that it gae the nod to the Chinese vessel after Beijing assured that it will keep the Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched on within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sri Lanka and no scientific research will be conducted in Sri Lankan waters.

Besides India, the US has also raised apprehensions over the docking of Yuan Wang-5 and maintained that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) operates the ship and is capable of tracking satellites and missile launches.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected India's and US' claims and said that the ship is conducting scientific research "in accordance with international law."

It "does not affect the security and economic interests of any country, and should not be interfered with by third parties," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in Beijing.

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