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India has raised objections with both Sri Lanka and Maldives after Beijing sought permission from both the countries to allow a Research Survey Vessel to dock at their ports and conduct a
deep water exploration of South Indian Ocean from 5 January till late May, 2024, according to a report India has raised objections with both Sri Lanka and Maldives after Beijing sought
permission from both the countries to allow a Research Survey Vessel to dock at their ports and conduct a deep water exploration of South Indian Ocean from 5 January till late May, 2024.
According to a _Hindustan Times_ report, vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 is currently off the coast of Xiamen in South China Sea and will travel via Malacca to these countries after securing
permission. Advertisement Chinese Research Survey Vessel Shi Yan 6 had recently completed its survey off the coast of Sri Lanka and reached Singapore on 2 December. The apprehensions
expressed by India regarding Chinese ballistic missile trackers and Research Surveillance Ships being permitted by Sri Lanka, coupled with a pro-China government in the Maldives, stem from
concerns that Beijing might exploit these vessels for intelligence-gathering on India under the guise of marine exploration, the report added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed this
issue with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 21 July, 2023, emphasising the importance of Sri Lanka respecting India’s strategic concerns. China’s rapid expansion of its maritime
capabilities, including the acquisition of three aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, and guided missile destroyers by the PLA Navy, has led to an increased presence in the Indian Ocean.
Advertisement Establishing naval bases from Cambodia to Djibouti, China has invested in ports in countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, and the UAE, signaling a
strategic approach to future naval operations. Under the guise of marine exploration, Beijing is actively mapping the Indian Ocean bed from the ninety-degree ridge south of the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands to the deep South Indian Ocean. Advertisement This meticulous mapping serves as groundwork for potential submarine operations extending to the coast of Africa. Given the
PLA’s existing anti-piracy operations off the coast of Africa and the Gulf of Aden, it appears inevitable that Chinese carrier strike forces will soon patrol international waters in the
Indian Ocean. Notably, a recent joint exercise between the Chinese Navy and the Pakistan Navy off the Makran Coast featured a PLA Song-class diesel hunter-killer submarine engaging in
specialised “sea bottoming” operations, highlighting China’s growing maritime influence. Advertisement _With inputs from agencies_