Amid strained relations between India and Maldives, a Chinese ship has entered the island nation’s territorial waters and is set to stop off in its capital Male. The 4,300-tonne Jiang Yang Hong 03 is classified as a ‘research’ ship mapping the floor of the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy has reported that mapping the seabed can enable submarine operations in the geopolitically important Indian Ocean region.
This ship belongs to China’s Third Institute of Oceanography. Its stated objectives include mapping the ocean floor and mineral exploration, among others. The ship left Sanya, China a month ago and is likely to reach Male soon.
The Maldives had last month said the Chinese ship would not conduct any research in its waters but would only come for “rotation and replenishment”. However, India’s concerns are not limited to Maldivian waters. They extend to other areas where the ship is operating. This ship is moving in a zigzag manner in the waters between Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Charting underwater areas “could also have military applications in terms of the ability to deploy submarines or operate submarines,” Navy chief Admiral R Kumar told NDTV in an interview last week.
New Delhi is monitoring the ship’s activities with concern in the backdrop of China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region and the souring of India-Maldives relations.
New Delhi’s relations with Mali have reached an all-time low since Mohammad Muizzu became president late last year. Soon after his election, Muizzu moved to remove Indian troops deployed in the Maldives for humanitarian activities and medical evacuation. He also visited Beijing and met Chinese President Xi Jinping. The President of Maldives once said, “We may be small, but that doesn’t give them license to bully us.” The comment, which did not name any country, was seen as a dig at India.
According to reports, both sides have agreed to withdraw Indian troops by May. The Ministry of External Affairs has said that they have “agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms” that provide humanitarian services to the Maldives. Reports say that soldiers will now be replaced by civilians.
Domestic challenges have also arisen due to the anti-India stance of the President of Maldives. Many Maldivian opposition leaders have criticized the island nation’s government over its pro-China policy.
Earlier, when asked about the strained relations between India and Maldives, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had said that the neighbors need each other. He said, “History and geography are very powerful forces. There is no escape from them.”
