The geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) have once again come to the forefront with the impending arrival of a Chinese dual-use survey ship at the Malé seaport. As India closely monitors the situation, concerns arise over the intentions behind this visit, especially amidst the Maldivian Presidents anti-India campaign leading up to the Majlis elections in April.The Chinese ship, Xiang Yang Hong 3, is scheduled to enter Malé seaport for personnel rotation and replenishment, but its capabilities extend beyond civilian research to include military surveillance. Despite assurances from the Maldivian government that the ship will only undergo operational turnaround, suspicions linger regarding its true activities.President Mohammed Muizzu has politicized the replacement of crew members operating Indian aircraft in the Maldives, leveraging it as an election issue. While the official stance is that the Chinese ship wont conduct research within Maldivian waters, its behavior since departure from China, including switching off its transponder multiple times, raises red flags.The Indian Navy has been vigilant since the ship entered the IOR, although the vessels transponder has remained off, hindering tracking efforts. While no overt surveillance activity has been observed yet, concerns persist about potential actions post-rotation in Malé.Sri Lankas decision to deny entry to the same ship underscores regional unease. Indias influence in persuading Sri Lanka to take this stance reflects broader apprehensions regarding Chinese maritime activities.Chinese naval presence in the IOR has been substantial, with numerous warships and research vessels sighted. Despite claims of supporting regional countries, Indian intelligence suggests ulterior motives, including the mapping of submarine routes potentially detrimental to Indian security.
