U.S. strongly pressured Colombo over Chinese vessel’s planned visit

 

The Washington Post said the Chinese research vessel has been “the source of rising tensions and a symbol of the mounting geopolitical tug-of-war between India and the United States and China over Sri Lanka at a time when the economically devastated island nation is caught between major financial supporters.” 

The vessel will conduct satellite control and research tracking in the north-western part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September, the Sri Lankan government said further. 

The Washington Post said, while a Chinese navy ship arriving at Hambantota is not strategically significant, Indian and U.S officials argue that it would be viewed as Sri Lanka giving special treatment to China, a major creditor of the island nation.