Colombo: Despite concerns expressed by India, a Chinese research vessel has arrived at Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that the Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 was allowed to enter the port on the condition that it would not conduct research while in Sri Lankan waters. China will allow the ship to remain in a Chinese-administered port until August 22.

The British news agency quoted security analysts as saying that the Yuan Wang 5 is one of China’s most advanced aircraft, which is used to monitor satellite, rocket and intercontinental ballistic missile launches. In Indian media. The Chinese are calling the ship a spy ship.

A report by India’s NDTV said that the Delhi government is concerned about the possibility of the ship’s tracking system trying to spy on Indian installations en route to Sri Lanka. Can be used for military activities. The $1.5 billion Hambantota port is close to major shipping routes to Asia and Europe.

India has been expressing concern over the port ever since Sri Lanka mortgaged it for 99 years for defaulting on a loan, China announced its Yuan Wang 5 as an international shipping and research facility. and describes as a survey ship, but is also called a dual-purpose spy ship.