Defense News ,India :- Amidst the strained relations between India and the Maldives following the election of Beijing-leaning Mohamed Muizzu as President of the archipelago in November, India is closely monitoring the movement of another Chinese survey and research vessel equipped with advanced surveillance equipment. The vessel, named Xiang Yang Hong 03, entered the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through the Sunda Strait of Indonesia on Monday morning.
An official from the Indian defense establishment revealed that the Chinese vessel is anticipated to reach the Maldives by the first week of February. However, the journey has encountered a setback as Sri Lanka denied permission for the ship to dock at one of its ports. "The Indian Navy is closely monitoring its movements," stated the official.
The Indian Navy typically employs a range of assets, including P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft, warships, and MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones, to track Chinese vessels in the IOR. Some of these resources are currently deployed on the western seaboard to address concerns related to piracy and drone attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.
India has consistently expressed objections to Sri Lanka about allowing "dual-use" Chinese ships to dock at its ports, as these vessels are known to map oceanographic data and engage in activities relevant to navigation and submarine operations in the IOR. Past instances, such as the docking of the Chinese survey vessel Shi Yan-6 in Colombo last October, have raised concerns.
The visit of the Chinese research and space-tracking vessel Yuan Wang-5 to Hambantota in August 2022 had resulted in a significant diplomatic dispute between India and Sri Lanka. These Chinese vessels, equipped with advanced sensors and electronic equipment, are involved in snooping, monitoring satellite launches, and tracking the trajectories of ballistic missiles test-fired by India in the IOR.
The recent decision of President Muizzu to prioritize a visit to China and sign various bilateral agreements to strengthen the strategic partnership between China and the Maldives adds another layer of complexity for India. As China maintains a significant naval presence in the IOR, with six to eight warships deployed at any given time, along with research and spy vessels, India is faced with the challenge of navigating its relations with the Maldives in this dynamic geopolitical environment.
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