Chinese Research Ship Arrives In The Maldives: What Does It Mean For Indian Ocean Security?

As per global ship-tracking data, the Maldives was visited by a Chinese research ship, just three months after a similar vessel's visit to the Indian Ocean raised security concerns in New Delhi, on Thursday.

The visit is following comments made in January by a US think tank regarding the potential utilization of insights gained from these missions by China's navy for deploying naval forces, a claim dismissed by Beijing as part of a concocted image-smearing "China threat" narrative, as reported by Reuters.

Chinese 'Research Ship' Arrives in the Maldives

According to data from MarineTraffic, Xiang Yang Hong 03, owned by a research institute reporting to China's natural resources ministry, made a port call in the Maldives capital of Male, more than a month after departing from its home port of Xiamen in southeastern China.

Before its arrival, the civilian ship had spent over three weeks surveying waters just outside the exclusive economic zones of India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, as indicated by ship-tracking data. China's foreign ministry has stated that research conducted by the vessel was "exclusively" for peaceful purposes aimed at benefiting scientific understanding, according to Reuters.

Over the years, India has expressed concern about the presence of China's research vessels in the Indian Ocean, regardless of their military affiliation. A previous statement from an Indian security official indicated that these vessels were considered "dual-use," implying that the data they collect can serve both civilian and military purposes.

Xiang Yang Hong 03 has made multiple visits to the Indian Ocean. In 2021, it transited through the Sunda Strait in Indonesia, causing concern among Indonesian authorities, who reported that its tracking system had been turned off three times. Chinese research vessels have also made stops in nearby Sri Lanka, as per the media reports.

In 2022, Yuan Wang 5, a military vessel capable of tracking rocket and missile launches, arrived in Colombo, raising alarms in India. The most recent docking of a Chinese research vessel in Sri Lanka occurred in October 2023, reigniting India's concerns. However, in January, the island nation imposed a year-long moratorium on foreign research ships, effectively denying China a port of call.

The arrival of Xiang Yang Hong 03 follows a January visit to China by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, which resulted in an upgrade in ties, with Beijing offering 920 million yuan ($128 million) in "free aid". The Maldives has stated that the vessel would refrain from conducting research in its waters, stopping only for personnel rotation and replenishment of supplies.

How India is maintaining Indian Ocean Security?

At the opening ceremony of the multi-nation Milan naval exercise, statements were made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding recent developments in the western Indian Ocean, where merchant vessels have encountered a series of drone attacks and hijacking attempts, posing significant challenges in the maritime domain.

Singh emphasized that the events in the western Indian Ocean over the past few months had highlighted some "extremely pressing challenges," including attacks on merchant shipping, piracy, and hijacking attempts. The 12th edition of the Milan naval exercise, which aims to provide a platform for participating navies to enhance maritime security, is being held from February 19 to 27, with around 50 international navies taking part.

Singh highlighted the substantial international military exercises aimed at bolstering maritime security, noting that such gatherings of navies from over 50 nations were unprecedented decades ago. While 15 foreign warships and one maritime patrol aircraft are participating in the drills, the Indian Navy's involvement includes around 20 warships, including aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, and approximately 50 aircraft.

Singh emphasized the importance of aspiring for "positive peace" in a democratic and rules-based world order, where nations collaborate for shared peace and prosperity. He reiterated India's commitment to maintaining a sustained presence in the region to ensure safety and security for all shipping, regardless of flag or crew nationality, aiming to be the first responder and preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean region.

The exercise is being conducted in two phases: a sea phase from February 19 to 23, followed by a harbour phase from February 24 to 27, during which advanced drills in air defence, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare will be conducted. Admiral R Hari Kumar, the navy chief, highlighted the increasing importance of collective and cooperative endeavours in the maritime domain, with Milan reflecting the growing stature of such initiatives.

He emphasized the challenges posed by China's power play for influence, defending the rules-based international order, and the emergence of the Arabian Sea as a new front amidst escalating tensions in the Red Sea and piracy resurgence. In December 2023, Singh issued warnings regarding the recent attacks on India-bound merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.