The Korean Central News Agency and Daejeon Newspaper reported on the 23rd that the Indian military is keeping an eye on China as it sent a spy ship disguised as a scientific research vessel to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, where a pro-China government is in power.
Citing sources familiar with the situation, Indian military officials, and foreign media, the media reported that the Chinese ocean research vessel Xiangyanghong 03 entered the Indian Ocean through the Sunda Strait and is heading to Male, Maldives.
Sources said that shortly after President Mohamed Muijou’s government in the Maldives, which has strengthened relations with China and distanced itself from India, was inaugurated in November last year, China’s de facto spy ship is approaching the region, raising a sense of caution.
India regards the presence of Chinese spy ships near its territory, including in the case of Sri Lanka in 2022, as a significant military threat.
Research vessels such as Xiangyanghong 03 officially claim that they are not warships, but India suspects that the information they detect and collect is ultimately used for military purposes.
India and Maldives have traditionally had friendly relations, but relations have been deteriorating since the launch of the no-migration regime that pledged to ‘take India out’.
Although China and India have competed for control of the Maldives, the non-migratory regime has increasingly leaned toward China and recently demanded that India withdraw its 80 troops.
It is known that Xiangyanghong 03 will initially carry out marine research activities in the Indian Ocean waters, focusing on the Maldives.
The Indian Army confirmed that it is closely tracking and monitoring the movements and movements of Xiangyanghong 03.
Previously, India did not let down its guard even when a Chinese research vessel made a port call or attempted to port in Sri Lanka.
At the time, Sri Lanka explained that it had not allowed Chinese research ships to enter its port since 2022.
In 2019, India forcibly evicted a Chinese research vessel that entered its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without permission.
Source: Donga
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