The Maldives government has confirmed that a Chinese “research vessel” – the Xian Yang Hong 03, widely seen as a spy ship mapping the Indian Ocean floor for military purposes – will dock at capital Male early next month. The ship will not conduct any “research” while in Maldivian waters, the island nation said, noting it had been asked for clearance to “… for rotation and replenishment”.
“The Maldives has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of friendly countries, and continues to host both civilian and military vessels making port calls for peaceful purposes…”
“Such calls enhance bilateral ties between the Maldives and partner countries, and also demonstrate the centuries-old tradition of welcoming vessels from friendly countries…” the Maldives said.
The “welcoming vessels from friendly countries” phrase has been seen as an attack on India and further evidence of Male’s pivot away from New Delhi and towards Beijing.
The move to China is a potentially significant geopolitical and military shift in the Indian Ocean Region, or IOR.
The 4,300-ton Xiang Yang Hong 03 is classified as a ‘research’ vessel mapping the floor of the Indian Ocean. Research exercises like this can provide valuable data that can help anticipate natural disasters like underwater earthquakes, and mitigate otherwise disastrous impacts. Mapping also enables China to navigate these waters in the future using submarines and submersible drones.
The Maldives giving the Chinese ship permission to dock comes as Male and New Delhi are locked in a tense stand-off over three Maldivian ministers’ critical comments this month about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which sparked a row in India and pushback at home for President Mohamed Muizzu.