At a time when military ships from India and Sri Lanka converged in the Maldives for a trilateral naval exercise, a Chinese research vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, anchored close to the Male port on Thursday.
Citing data from the Marine Traffic website, which monitors global oceanic movements, revealed that the Xiang Yang Hong 03 was initially spotted near Male City in the morning before later being observed near Thilafushi around noon.
The Maldives government had granted permission for the research vessel to dock at Male port on January 23, citing a need for replenishment. However, authorities clarified that the vessel would not engage in any research activities within Maldivian waters.
The Maldivian Coast Guard on the other hand, expressed its support for the exercise. In a statement, the Maldives National Defence Forces declared, "The MNDF welcomes the participation of ships from India and Sri Lanka in the Trilateral Joint Exercise 'DOSTI-16' from February 22nd to 25th. This biennial event aims to strengthen collaboration between the Coast Guards of Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka, alongside observers from Bangladesh."
This development has raised eyebrows in regional geopolitical circles, particularly concerning India's expressed concerns over the movement of the Chinese vessel in the Indian Ocean. India reportedly urged Sri Lanka to deny the vessel permission to dock at Colombo port.
Mohamed Muizzu, perceived as a pro-China figure, clinched victory in last year's presidential election on an ostensibly 'anti-India' platform.
His recent visit to Beijing underscored his commitment to bolstering bilateral ties with China.
Responding to queries regarding the vessel's activities, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin emphasised “China’s scientific research activities in relevant waters are for peaceful purposes and aimed at contributing to humanity’s scientific understanding of the ocean.”
Wang reiterated China's stance, portraying the vessel's scientific research pursuits as peaceful endeavours aimed at advancing global understanding of oceanic phenomena.
Simultaneously, amidst these maritime manoeuvres, Coast Guards from Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka, accompanied by observers from Bangladesh, commenced the Trilateral Joint Exercise 'DOSTI-16' on Thursday morning.
The exercise, aimed at fostering military collaboration among the three nations, serves to enhance coordination in responding to maritime incidents effectively.
Coast Guards of Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka, along with observers from Bangladesh, join in this biennial event to enhance collaboration between the forces,” Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said in a post on X along with the photos of the two vessels.
Initiated in 1991 between the Maldives and India, the DOSTI exercise welcomed Sri Lanka's participation in 2012. The biennial event, last convened in 2021, stands as a testament to the evolving regional security dynamics and the imperative of collective maritime security initiatives.
The visit of the Indian coast guard ship to the Maldives comes amidst Male's demand for the withdrawal of 88 Indian military personnel manning three Indian aviation platforms in the island nation by March 15.
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