Chinese spy ship disguised as a research ship banned from docking in Sri Lanka for a year

• India’s pressure tactics succeed
• A major decision by Sri Lanka

Colombo (Sri Lanka) – Sri Lanka has banned Chinese spy ships from docking at its port, for one year. China was trying to dock its ships at Sri Lankan ports under the guise of research. Earlier, despite India’s objection, Sri Lanka had allowed the so-called Chinese research ships to its port twice. However, the third time, on the 5th of January, a Chinese ship was to arrive at Sri Lanka. But, the permission was denied and its entry was banned for a year. Last year in July, Indian Prime Minister Modi met Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. At that time Prime Minister Modi had raised this issue with him.

China has also reached out to Maldives

China has asked the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, to permit Chinese ships to dock at its port. Sri Lanka has rejected the request, but the Maldives has not taken any decision as of now. The current President of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu’s Government is Pro-China, so, they might allow China to dock its ships at their ports.