HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka -- A Chinese navy vessel arrived at a Beijing-built port in southern Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after its port call was earlier delayed over apparent security concerns raised by India.
The Yuan Wang 5 sailed into the Hambantota port and was welcomed by Sri Lankan and Chinese officials. The development could spark worry in India, which views China's rising influence in the Indian Ocean with suspicion.
Sri Lanka has referred to the Yuan Wang 5 as a "scientific research ship," but there are fears in India that the vessel could be used to surveil the region, with multiple media reports calling it a "dual-use spy ship."
"The Yuan Wang 5 is a powerful tracking vessel whose significant aerial reach -- reportedly around 750 km [roughly 466 miles] -- means that several ports in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh could be on China's radar," the Indian Express newspaper wrote.
The closely watched developments surrounding the vessel underscore the competing interests of regional giants India and China in the small island nation. For more than a decade, Sri Lanka's strategic location in the Indian Ocean and along one of the busiest shipping routes has seen both countries vie for influence.
Over the years, Beijing was widely seen as having an upper hand with its free-flowing loans and infrastructure investments. But Sri Lanka's economic collapse proved an opportunity for India to gain greater sway, as New Delhi stepped in with massive financial and material assistance to its neighbor.
The ship has permission to dock in Hambantota until Aug. 22, Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said last weekend. It added that China had agreed the ship would keep its identification systems on and would not carry out any research activities while in Sri Lankan waters.
"Given the geopolitical dynamics in the region and Sri Lanka's heavy vulnerability on the economic front, Sri Lanka is playing with two fires at a diplomatic level," said international affairs analyst Ranga Kalansooriya.
The Yuan Wang family of naval vessels serve both the Chinese missile force and its space program, which is run by the People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the ruling Communist Party.
Previous official Chinese media reports have described People's Liberation Army officers serving in command positions aboard the vessels in the Yuan Wang class, which may also have civilians in their crews.
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin dismissed concerns about the ship in a briefing Tuesday.
"I would like to reiterate that the marine scientific research conducted by the research ship Yuan Wang 5 conforms to international law and international common practice, and will not affect the security and economic interests of any country," he said.
On Monday, India gifted a maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka. The Indian Embassy said the aircraft would help Sri Lanka tackle multiple security challenges such as human and drug trafficking as well as other crimes in its coastal waters more effectively.
As Sri Lanka endures its worst economic crisis, India in recent months has provided crucial assistance including food, fuel, medicines and cooking gas. At the same time, China's agreement to restructure its infrastructure loans to Sri Lanka is vital for the country to reach a bailout program with the International Monetary Fund.
Information for this article was contributed by Krishan Francis of The Associated Press.
A ship carrying motor vehicles is seen berthed at Chinese built and operates Hambantota International Port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. China has lent Sri Lanka billions of dollars for development projects, which include the Hambantota port, which Sri Lanka leased to China in 2017 because it could not pay back the loan. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Crew of Chinese scientific research ship Yuan Wang 5 wave Chinese flags from the ship after arriving at Hambantota International Port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. The ship was originally set to arrive Aug. 11 but the port call was deferred due to apparent security concerns raised by India. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
A Sri Lankan port worker holds a Chinese national flag to welcome Chinese research ship Yuan Wang 5 as it arrives in Hambantota International Port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. The ship was originally set to arrive Aug. 11 but the port call was deferred due to apparent security concerns raised by India. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
A Chinese military officer stands by the Chinese scientific research ship Yuan Wang 5 after it arrived at Hambantota International Port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. The ship was originally set to arrive Aug. 11 but the port call was deferred due to apparent security concerns raised by India. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
A Sri Lankan port worker stands on jetty at the Chinese run International Port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. China has lent Sri Lanka billions of dollars for development projects, which include the Hambantota port, which Sri Lanka leased to China in 2017 because it could not pay back the loan. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
A Sri Lankan traditional dancer carries a decorative umbrella as the crew of Chinese scientific research ship Yuan Wang 5 wave Chinese flags after arriving at Hambantota International Port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. The ship was originally set to arrive Aug. 11 but the port call was deferred due to apparent security concerns raised by India. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Chinese research ship Yuan Wang 5, right, is seen berthed at the Hambantota International Port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. The ship was originally set to arrive Aug. 11 but the port call was deferred due to apparent security concerns raised by India. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Sri Lankan ports workers wait to receive Chinese research ship Yuan Wang 5 as it arrives in Hambantota International Port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. The ship was originally set to arrive Aug. 11 but the port call was deferred due to apparent security concerns raised by India. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Yuan Wang 5, a Chinese scientific research ship, arrives at the port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. The ship, whose port call was earlier deferred due to apparent security concerns raised by India, was to arrive originally on Aug. 11 but Sri Lanka's foreign ministry asked it postponed until further consultations took place. China has been vying to expand its influence in Sri Lanka, which sits along one of the busiest shipping routes in what India considers part of its strategic backyard. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)