The Chinese vessel Yuan Wang 5 remains in the Indian Ocean. Satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles are tracked using it.
This is despite the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming that it had requested that the Chinese vessel delay its visit to Hambantota.
India had repeatedly expressed its opposition to the vessels’ arrival, citing security concerns, and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that it had asked China to postpone the visit of the Yuan Wang 5. India also referred to the ship as a Chinese spy ship.
In this context, Sri Lanka requested that the visit of the vessel be postponed.
On Tuesday, however, the ship increased its speed and arrived 600 nautical miles away from the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota.
The ship suddenly slowed to 5 knots and turned towards the Andaman Islands late last night, according to reports.
However, the Yuan Wang 5 reverted to its original course this morning.
The vessel that can travel faster than any other standard vessel has slowed to 4 knots.