Ahead of the scheduled docking of a Chinese spy ship at Hambantota port on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, India on Monday handed over a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to the Sri Lankan Navy in the presence of Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
India is deeply concerned over a Chinese spy ship scheduled to dock at the Lankan port for seven days from Tuesday. The Chinese ship is equipped with surveillance and reconnaissance systems and can track Indian defence installations.
Addressing the ceremony in Colombo, Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay said security of India and Sri Lanka is enhanced by mutual understanding, trust and cooperation.
Vice Chief of Indian Navy Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, who is on a two-day visit to the country, accompanied by the Indian High Commissioner, handed over the maritime surveillance aircraft to the Sri Lankan Navy at its airbase in Katunayake adjoining the Colombo international airport.
“Security of #India and #Srilanka is enhanced by mutual understanding, mutual trust and cooperation. Gifting of Dornier 228 is #India’s latest contribution to this cause,” Baglay said.
“Like fruits of other areas of cooperation with India, the gift of Dornier to @airforcelk is of relevance to and a step to meet its requirements for maritime safety and security. It is an example of India’s strength adding to the strength of its friends,” he said.
The aircraft was provided to Sri Lanka from the inventory of the Indian Navy to help the country meet its immediate security requirement. The Indian Navy has already
provided extensive training
to a team from Sri Lanka’s
Navy and the Air Force to operate the maritime surveillance aircraft.
Sri Lanka in 2018 had requested for two Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft from India to enhance the maritime surveillance capabilities of the island nation. India will give two Dornier aircraft now being manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Once these two-HAL manufactured aircraft are handed over, the Dornier aircraft will return to the Indian Navy.
Sri Lanka granted the permission two days back to Chinese ship “Yuan Wang 5” to dock at the Hambantota port on Tuesday. Sri Lanka has leased the deep water port, 250 kms from Colombo, to China on a 99 year lease.
The ship was originally scheduled to arrive at the port on August 11 but Sri Lanka asked China to defer the visit amid India’s concerns over it.
China had then said the visit was deferred as India had exerted pressure. On Friday last, New Delhi rejected China’s “insinuations” but at the same time asserted that it will take decisions based on its security concerns.
Meanwhile, in his Independence Day message, Baglay said India has been an active partner in catalysing the economic recovery of Sri Lanka. Indian investments in Sri Lanka in mutually beneficial sectors such as ports, renewable energy and infrastructure will be instrumental in this through employment generation and stepped up economic activities, he said.
The civilisational connect, shared heritage and abiding bonds between the people are the hallmark of India-Sri Lanka ties. Today, as we rapidly move forward on the path laid out by generations from antiquity, we also seek to strengthen these age-old linkages for posterity as well, he said.