Amid row with India, Maldives allows Chinese vessel to dock

While the Maldivian foreign ministry said the Chinese Research Vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 will “not be conducting any research while in Maldivian waters”, New Delhi is keeping a close watch on the movement of the ship.

On Monday, open source intelligence researcher Damien Symon wrote on X that the Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 was en-route to Male, and “is entering the Indian Ocean Region, displaying its destination as Male, the vessel is expected to run an ocean survey operation in the Indian Ocean Region raising concern in #India”. (X/ detresfa_)

A Chinese ship, equipped to carry research and surveys, will be docking at a Maldivian port after being permitted by the Male government to make a port call for replenishment.

While the Maldivian foreign ministry said the Chinese Research Vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 will “not be conducting any research while in Maldivian waters”, New Delhi is keeping a close watch on the movement of the ship.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Maldivian foreign ministry said a diplomatic request was made by the Chinese government for the necessary clearances to make a port call, for rotation of personnel and replenishment. It further said that 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.

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“Such port calls not only enhance bilateral ties… but also demonstrate the centuries-old tradition of the Maldivian people welcoming vessels from friendly countries,” it said.

This comes days after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu hit out at India for “bullying”, and set a March 15-deadline for India to withdraw its military personnel from the country.

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