Media reports on Thursday indicated that while military ships from India and Sri Lanka arrived at the Maldives coast to engage in a trilateral naval exercise, a Chinese research vessel was observed mooring close to Male port.
According to Edition.mv, a news portal citing the Marine Traffic website, the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 was initially docked near Male City and later appeared near Thilafushi around noon.
The Maldives government had granted permission for the research vessel's docking at Male port on January 23, stating that it would only be for replenishment purposes and would not conduct any research in Maldivian waters. India raised concerns about the movement of the Xiang Yang Hong 03 in the Indian Ocean, and also persuaded Sri Lanka to deny the vessel permission to dock at Colombo port.
Mohamed Muizzu, perceived as a pro-China leader, won last year's presidential election with an 'anti-India' stance. He visited Beijing in January to strengthen bilateral ties.
In response to questions regarding the research ship's activities, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin emphasized that China's scientific research in relevant waters adhered to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), serving peaceful purposes and contributing to oceanic scientific understanding.
Simultaneously, the Trilateral Joint Exercise 'DOSTI-16' commenced on Thursday morning, with Coast Guards from Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka participating, along with observers from Bangladesh. The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation among the three nations and address maritime incidents collaboratively, as reported by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Originally initiated between Maldives and India in 1991, Sri Lanka joined the DOSTI exercise in 2012. The biennial event, last held in 2021, aims to strengthen military collaboration and explore joint responses to maritime challenges.
Amidst these developments, the Indian coastguard ship's visit to the Maldives occurs alongside Male's request for the withdrawal of 88 Indian military personnel manning three Indian aviation platforms in the island nation by March 15.
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