'Developments That Have Bearing On India's Security Of Interest To Us': Jaishankar On Chinese 'Spy' Ship

The remarks come after a Chinese research vessel 'Yuan Wang 5' docked at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka amid concerns by India.

China's research and survey vessel, the Yuan Wang 5, arrives at Hambantota port

Source : AFP

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that any development in India's neighbourhood that has a bearing on the nation's security are "obviously of an interest to us", PTI reported. The remarks come after a Chinese research vessel 'Yuan Wang 5' docked at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.

Jaishankar made the remarks after arriving in Bangkok to attend the 9th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting.

"What happens in our neighbourhood, any development, which has a bearing on our security issues, is of interest to us. I think a spokesman had said some time ago, we obviously monitor any development, which has a bearing on our interests very, very carefully. So, I think I will leave at that," PTI quoted Jaishankar as saying.

READ | Ship At Lankan Port Does Not Affect Security, Economic Interests Of Any Country: China

The ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship docked on Tuesday at the strategically important Hambantota port, which China has leased from the Sri Lankan government. The vessel will be docked at the port till August 22 for replenishment.

The ship was originally scheduled to arrive at the port on August 11 but Sri Lanka had asked China to defer the visit amidst India's concern over the vessel's presence in its neighbourhood.

However, Sri Lanka eventually granted the port access to the vessel on the condition that it would keep the Automatic Identification System (AIS) switched on within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sri Lanka and no scientific research to be conducted in Sri Lankan waters. It further said no rotation of personnel would take place during the port call.

India has expressed apprehensions about the possibility of the vessel's tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian defence installations. The US Defense Department has said the ship was under the command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and was capable of tracking satellites and missile launches.

China, however, has maintained the ship is used for scientific research.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said the activities of its high-tech vessel would not affect the security of any country and should not be "obstructed" by "any third party".

"The marine scientific research activities of the Yuan Wang-5 ship are consistent with international law and international customary practice," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

"They do not affect the security and economic interests of any country and should not be obstructed by any third party," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)