IndiaTheNews Exclusive: Did the Chinese vessel really come to Sri Lanka for research or to spy on India?

This week in IndiaTheNews News Network’s special program Shaurya Path, we wanted to know from Brigadier Shri DS Tripathi (Retd.) what are our preparations in view of China’s challenges in the South China Sea? We wanted to know that what are we doing when Chinese ships come to Sri Lanka and pursue their hidden agenda in the name of research? In response, he said that China’s “level of aggression” is a matter of concern. He said that trade relations should continue for prosperity, but the sovereignty of other countries should be taken care of. He said that India is keeping an eye on every move of China and there is no need to worry because our defense and security agencies are keeping an eye on every situation.

Brigadier Shri DS Tripathi (Retd) said that as far as the presence of Chinese ships in Sri Lanka is concerned, India and America have expressed concern over it. He said that it is being told that scientists from China and Sri Lanka are doing oceanographic research on a Chinese research vessel. He said the Chinese ship ‘Xi Yan 6’ had reached Colombo port last week. There was a delay in granting permission for the arrival of the ship due to objections raised by India. He said that the Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Colombo has issued a statement saying that permission was given to conduct oceanographic research on October 30 and 31. Scientists from the National Aquatic Research Agency (NARA), naval personnel and scholars from Ruhana University have been allowed to visit the ship. He said that the agency’s Director General Dr. Kamal Tennakoon has informed that research work is being conducted near Bentara in Colombo through the vessel. It is being told that the Chinese research vessel conducted research in the sea of ​​Sri Lanka. It is being described as China’s first scientific research vessel for geophysical research. He said that last month, the US had also expressed concern to Sri Lanka regarding the visit of a Chinese research vessel. He said that India has been expressing concern about the visit of the Chinese ship to Sri Lanka. India had also lodged a strong protest against a similar visit by a Chinese satellite surveillance ship in early 2022.

Brigadier Shri DS Tripathi (Retd) said that it is also worth noting here that US President Joe Biden will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the ‘APEC Leadership’ summit in San Francisco later this month. . He said that Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or ‘APEC’ is the top forum related to trade and investment, economic development and regional cooperation in Asia-Pacific. President Biden has also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the ‘APEC Leadership’ summit. But India is more likely to be represented by a cabinet level minister. He said that there has been no change in the policy of the Biden administration regarding how to move forward with China and India is also firm on its stand.