The deployment of the Chinese survey ship Da Yang Yi Hao in Indian waters following India’s Operation Sindoor has raised national security issues since authorities feel the action stands in furtherance of broader strategic interests common to China and Pakistan.
India had begun Operation Sindoor on May 7 to take revenge for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. While this operation, India attacked nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). A ceasefire was subsequently declared on May 10 after four days of cross-border tension. During all this escalation, China was always in support of Pakistan, voicing its position again as an ‘all-weather’ friend and continuing its assistance in the form of military aid.
As per official sources, “The mission of the vessel is perhaps to check India’s maritime monitoring and response capacities. It is aimed at determining weaknesses in India’s capacity to defend its waters that may undermine its reputation as a regional security provider.”
What Makes the Ship a Strategic Tool?
The Da Yang Yi Hao is armed with advanced hydrographic and surveillance equipment. Since Operation Sindoor, the Indian Navy has been put on its toes in the Arabian Sea and the northern Indian Ocean. The sensors onboard the ship enable it to keep a close eye on Indian naval operations, including the movement of important assets such as aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Authorities cite several ways in which the ship can help Pakistan:
It can assist China in collecting evidence for a Chinese military logistic base in Pakistan, potentially in Jiwani, Gwadar, or Djibouti.
The vessel can map underwater topography and submarine routes, important for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) planning.
It could tap Indian Navy communications, providing insight into India’s response to crises and operational procedures.
Intelligence acquired would also be essential in protecting China’s investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a keystone of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Symbol of Support
Sending Da Yang Yi Hao immediately after India’s attacks might be Beijing’s manner of demonstrating support to Islamabad while at the same time acquiring precious maritime intelligence.
In addition, the warship can monitor Indian military strikes against Pakistani naval facilities in Gwadar and Karachi. Although it is essentially an observation and research boat, just having it present may discourage India from carrying out strikes further into Pakistan’s interior, including urban areas like Karachi.
Wider Game in the Indian Ocean
This isn’t the first instance of China deploying dual-purpose vessels in the region. Earlier in 2024, Yuan Wang-6 had been dispatched to the Indian Ocean as a part of China’s strategy to make its military-civilian presence a normal phenomenon there. Sources assert this is a part of a long-term attempt to counter India’s long-standing domination of the region.
While Indian defence forces are on high alert, the government has informed that “any misadventure” by Pakistan or its allies will be countered with “an appropriate response.”
