On the eve of the arrival of a Chinese research vessel in the country’s south, which has alarmed both Washington and New Delhi, Sri Lanka got its first maritime surveillance aircraft from India on Monday.
The Indian Navy jet Dornier 228 had landed at the main international airport in Colombo, where President Ranil Wickremesinghe had received it, according to the Sri Lankan president.
According to Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baghle, reciprocal understanding, mutual trust, and collaboration strengthen the security of India and Sri Lanka, and the donation of the Dornier 228 is a fresh contribution from India to this cause.
The plane was delivered on the eve of the Chinese ship Yuan Wang 5 arriving in the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota, which is managed by a Chinese enterprise in the island’s south.
The Chinese ship was scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka last Thursday, but after New Delhi objected, Colombo requested that the visit be postponed.
According to Indian media reports, New Delhi fears that China may use the ship to spy on its operations. Washington and New Delhi, according to official sources, share similar concerns.
Colombo, on the other hand, stated on Saturday that the ship will be permitted to dock in Hambantota on Tuesday and remain for six days.
However, the ship is not authorised to turn off the automatic identifying system when in Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone, and it is not permitted to conduct scientific research in Sri Lankan seas.
Sri Lanka receives its first marine reconnaissance aircraft from India.
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