Heightened tensions in the Bay of Bengal are escalating as a second Chinese research vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 01, has entered the region just days before India is scheduled to conduct missile tests.
The presence of the vessel raises concerns amidst India's planned test-firing of two nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
According to maritime data, the Xiang Yang Hong 01 follows another Chinese research vessel observed in the surrounding waters in recent weeks.
India is reportedly preparing to test the submarine-launched K4 missile alongside the land-based Agni-V variant between March 11th and 16th. While the exact date remains subject to change, the timing aligns uncomfortably with the Chinese vessel's movements.
Marine Traffic, a maritime tracking service, indicates that the Xiang Yang Hong 01 originated from the Chinese port of Qingdao on February 23rd, 2024. Damien Symon, an open-source intelligence expert, initially highlighted the vessel's presence in the Bay of Bengal via social media.
This development adds to the geopolitical complexity in the Indo-Pacific region as India and China maintain a historically uneasy relationship.
The presence of Chinese research vessels near India's planned missile tests raises questions about potential intelligence gathering operations and underscores the strategic competition between the two nations.
