A Chinese research vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, entered the Indian Ocean on Friday, July 12th, and is reportedly en route to the Maldives. This marks the ship's third visit to the island nation this year, raising concerns in India about China's growing activity in the Indian Ocean region.
According to sources, the Xiang Yang Hong 03 is expected to reach Maldivian waters by Monday. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Maldivian government regarding whether the vessel will dock at its ports.
The ship's previous visits to the Maldives in 2024 occurred on January 23rd and again in April. During these visits, the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the ship was permitted to dock for "rotation of personnel and replenishment," and that it would not be conducting any research activities while in Maldivian waters.
India's Concerns and Regional Implications
India has expressed unease over both Sri Lanka and the Maldives allowing the Xiang Yang Hong 03 to dock at their ports. While labeled as a research vessel, the information gathered by such ships can be used for both civilian and military purposes.In December 2023, Sri Lanka imposed a moratorium on allowing research vessels from any country to dock at its ports, citing India's security concerns as a factor in this decision.
Open-source maritime data confirms the Xiang Yang Hong 03's voyage from the Chinese port of Xiamen on July 3rd, with a scheduled return on August 28th. The vessel's presence in the Indian Ocean has been closely monitored by regional powers, including India, due to the strategic implications of its activities.
