Maldives, China in talks to install research devices in Indian Ocean: Report
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Maldives, China in talks to install research devices in Indian Ocean: Report

India Today  

The Maldives government is in discussions with China to install devices on fish aggregating devices in the Indian Ocean, raising concerns over the strategic implications of such research. The development follows China's increasing engagement in Maldivian waters, most notably the presence of the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 in early 2024. Adding to these concerns, another agreement was signed between the Maldives Environmental Protection Agency and China's South China Sea Institute of Oceanography on February 19, reportedly for marine research. Speculation has emerged that China's research activities in the Maldives may not be solely for environmental purposes, with fears that espionage devices could be installed under the guise of scientific studies.

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History of this topic

'Good relationship with India essential for Maldives safety' says former president of the Maldives
6 days, 8 hours ago

'Good relationship with India essential for Maldives safety' says former president of the Maldives

India Today  

In an exclusive conversation, former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed offers an insightful perspective on the evolving dynamics of Maldivian foreign policy, the rising threat of Islamist extremism, and the country’s delicate balancing act between India and China. A veteran politician and a staunch advocate for democracy, Nasheed reflects on the Muizzu administration’s pivot away from its initial “India …

China Is Mapping the Seabed to Unlock a New Edge in Warfare
1 week, 5 days ago

China Is Mapping the Seabed to Unlock a New Edge in Warfare

Hindustan Times  

A Chinese research and survey vessel at Hambantota port, Sri Lanka, in 2022. In recent weeks, two of China’s most advanced research vessels, the Xiang Yang Hong 01 and the newer Dong Fang Hong 3 have conducted lawnmower-style sweeps across vast stretches of the eastern Indian Ocean. In a study of 64 research and survey vessels operated by Chinese agencies, …

What will India's Samudrayaan look for in the ocean? Mission chief reveals
4 months, 1 week ago

What will India's Samudrayaan look for in the ocean? Mission chief reveals

India Today  

India is preparing to join an elite group of nations capable of deep-sea exploration with its ambitious Samudrayaan mission. "One of the key targets for exploration will be polymetallic nodules, mineral concretions rich in manganese, iron, and other valuable metals found on the ocean floor," Dr. S Ramesh, Scientist-in-Charge of India's deep-sea mission told IndiaToday.in in an exclusive conversation. Dr. …

China fears spark Indian race for cobalt in contested ocean waters
9 months ago

China fears spark Indian race for cobalt in contested ocean waters

Al Jazeera  

India has sought rights to explore an underwater cobalt-rich mountain. The urgency behind India’s application comes from fears over China’s presence in the Indian Ocean, at a time when the world’s second-largest economy already dominates the global cobalt supply chain, Indian officials and analysts told Al Jazeera. But while evaluating India’s application, the ISA found that Afanasy Nikitin Seamount lies …

India’s Maritime Power Projection in the Southwest Indian Ocean Gets a Boost
11 months ago

India’s Maritime Power Projection in the Southwest Indian Ocean Gets a Boost

The Diplomat  

On February 29, in a virtual ceremony, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, jointly inaugurated an airstrip, a jetty, and six community development initiatives on Mauritius’ Agaléga island. It was during Modi’s visit to Mauritius in 2015 that the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which provided for “setting up and upgradation of …

India troops begin Maldives pullout after pro-China leader’s order: Reports
1 year ago

India troops begin Maldives pullout after pro-China leader’s order: Reports

Al Jazeera  

The two countries agreed to a withdrawal of 89 Indian soldiers and their support staff from the nation by May 10. Following talks with New Delhi, the two sides had agreed to complete a withdrawal of 89 Indian soldiers and their support staff from the nation of 1,192 tiny coral islands by May 10. “We also support the Maldives in …

Chinese research ship moors near Maldives after spending a month in Indian Ocean
1 year, 1 month ago

Chinese research ship moors near Maldives after spending a month in Indian Ocean

The Hindu  

A high-tech Chinese marine research ship on Thursday arrived near the Maldives after spending about a month in the Indian Ocean near the island nation, media reports said here. India had already expressed concern about the movement of the Chinese research ship in the Indian Ocean and also prevailed on Sri Lanka to refuse permission for the ship to dock …

Chinese 'research vessel' to arrive in Male amid India-Maldives tensions
1 year, 1 month ago

Chinese 'research vessel' to arrive in Male amid India-Maldives tensions

India TV News  

Against a backdrop of strained relations between India and the Maldives, a Chinese research vessel has made its way into the waters surrounding the island nation, with plans to dock in its capital, Male. Objectives of the Chinese vessel The Xiang Yang Hong 03, belonging to China's Third Institute of Oceanography, is on a mission involving seabed mapping and mineral …

India and Maldives will sort out issues bilaterally, Wickremesinghe says, and hopes it will be soon
1 year, 1 month ago

India and Maldives will sort out issues bilaterally, Wickremesinghe says, and hopes it will be soon

The Hindu  

India and Maldives would resolve the issues between them “bilaterally” said Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, emphasising that while Maldives has allowed a Chinese ‘research’ vessel into the Male harbour, no Chinese troops had been allowed in. Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference, Mr. Wickremesinghe also confirmed Sri Lanka’s decision to join the 15-nation …

Shame on India for its coercion of Sri Lanka: China Daily editorial
1 year, 1 month ago

Shame on India for its coercion of Sri Lanka: China Daily editorial

China Daily  

Some Indian media outlets seemed irrepressible when they reported "India beats China in diplomatic duel" earlier this week, referring to an Indian Navy submarine visiting Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka, on the weekend, shortly after the island country suspended its reception of Chinese research ships under New Delhi's pressure. To begin with, New Delhi has been smearing China's marine research …

India should respect Maldives' sovereignty: China Daily editorial
1 year, 1 month ago

India should respect Maldives' sovereignty: China Daily editorial

China Daily  

Whether India will withdraw its troops from the Maldives by March 15 as required by the island country's government may be a matter of dignity for India. The Maldives' foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday that officials from both countries met in New Delhi and agreed that India would begin withdrawing troops from the Maldives on March 10 …

Maldives alleges India coast guard activity in its territory
1 year, 1 month ago

Maldives alleges India coast guard activity in its territory

Live Mint  

Amid the ongoing row between India and Maldives, the latter accused Indian coast guard personnel were recently spotted on three Maldivian fishing vessels and sought why they boarded the vessels without consultation. Defense ministry statement said, “On Feb. 1, 2024, the foreign ministry of the Maldives has asked officially for the details of the operation that was carried out while …

'Most long-standing ally': Maldives opposition parties rally against Muizzu's 'anti-India stance'
1 year, 1 month ago

'Most long-standing ally': Maldives opposition parties rally against Muizzu's 'anti-India stance'

India TV News  

Male: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is facing the heat at home for his purported steps to distance from India and build closer ties with China, as opposition parties have rallied together to express concern over his 'anti-India stance'. In the statement, former Deputy Speaker of Maldives Parliament Fayyaz Ismail, MDP MP Ahmed Saleem, The Democrats President Hassan Latheef and MP …

Choppy waters: On India-Maldives ties
1 year, 1 month ago

Choppy waters: On India-Maldives ties

The Hindu  

Within weeks of the India-Maldives showdown over derogatory remarks by Maldivian Ministers and the call for Indian tourists to boycott the archipelago, as well as the tussle over Indian troops stationed in Maldives, Delhi and Male are dealing with another controversy. After objecting to visits by Chinese “research” vessels to Sri Lanka, New Delhi managed to ensure that Colombo banned, …

Navy to monitor Chinese ship in Indian Ocean headed to Maldives
1 year, 1 month ago

Navy to monitor Chinese ship in Indian Ocean headed to Maldives

Hindustan Times  

The Indian Navy will monitor Chinese surveillance ship Xiang Yang Hong 3 in the Indian Ocean region to ensure that it does not carry out any exploration activity in the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone. In its statement, Male said, "Concerning the media reports regarding the port call of the Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 at Male, the Ministry …

Mint Explainer: Why India’s antsy about a Chinese ship heading to the Maldives
1 year, 1 month ago

Mint Explainer: Why India’s antsy about a Chinese ship heading to the Maldives

Live Mint  

The impending visit of a Chinese research vessel to the Maldives has caused alarm in India’s strategic community. While the ship’s classified as a research vessel meant to map the floor of the Indian Ocean, Indian officials consider it to be a spy ship. Mint breaks down why India is unhappy with the Chinese vessel making its way through the …

Vantage | What a Chinese 'spy' ship in Maldives waters means for India
1 year, 1 month ago

Vantage | What a Chinese 'spy' ship in Maldives waters means for India

Firstpost  

In a surprising turn of events, the Maldives finds itself at the centre of rising diplomatic tensions as it hosts the Chinese research vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 03. While the Maldivian government insists that the vessel’s purpose is merely a port call for personnel rotation and replenishment, concerns linger about the timing of this visit, especially given recent hostilities with …

View: China drops all diplomatic pretences on Taiwan, Maldives
1 year, 2 months ago

View: China drops all diplomatic pretences on Taiwan, Maldives

Hindustan Times  

While Chinese propaganda media accuses India of “hegemonic mentality in South Asia”, Beijing’s comments after anti-China Lai Ching-te won the Taiwan election with a 40 per cent vote in spite of mainland machinations reveals an imperial Middle-Kingdom mindset of the Xi Jinping regime. China's stated resolve to conquer Taiwan despite the democratically held election in the island nation and its …

’China threat narrative in Indian Ocean region’: What China said on US report
1 year, 2 months ago

’China threat narrative in Indian Ocean region’: What China said on US report

Live Mint  

Chinese state media warned on Friday that a report by a prominent US think tank on the military uses of Chinese scientific research across the Indian Ocean gave "ammunition" to countries bent on concocting threats from China. The report this week by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies "comes at a time when some countries need to manufacture …

An ‘India out’ plan that could impact the Maldives
1 year, 2 months ago

An ‘India out’ plan that could impact the Maldives

The Hindu  

The recent decision by the Maldives to revoke an agreement with India for joint hydrographic surveys in Maldivian waters has caused considerable dismal in Indian media and strategic circles. Getting Indian hydrographic ships out of Maldivian waters appears intended to aid China’s marine surveys of the surrounding seas. However, China’s oceanographic surveys in the waters of friendly South Asian states …

What’s the latest blip in India-Maldives ties? | Explained
1 year, 3 months ago

What’s the latest blip in India-Maldives ties? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: Earlier this month, the Maldives Cabinet decided against renewing a Memorandum of Understanding with India for cooperation in hydrography. Coming soon after newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to send back Indian troops currently stationed in the Indian Ocean archipelago, the move was yet another indication of his government’s intention to reverse the former Ibrahim Mohamed …

What Swirls Beneath Research Activity of Chinese Ships in the Indian Ocean?
1 year, 3 months ago

What Swirls Beneath Research Activity of Chinese Ships in the Indian Ocean?

The Diplomat  

On October 31, Sri Lankan and Chinese researchers on board the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6, which had recently docked at Colombo port in Sri Lanka, began two days of “marine scientific” research off the Sri Lankan coast. Over the past 15 years, several Chinese research vessels and warships have visited Sri Lankan ports with limited media attention. They …

Closely tracking Chinese presence in Indian Ocean, says navy chief
1 year, 3 months ago

Closely tracking Chinese presence in Indian Ocean, says navy chief

Hindustan Times  

The navy is closely monitoring China’s sustained presence in the Indian Ocean region as part of its efforts to keep under surveillance extra-regional forces operating in the vast stretch to assess the activities they are engaged in and their intentions, navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Friday. Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar The navy is also …

India-China power play gets new life in Maldives
1 year, 5 months ago

India-China power play gets new life in Maldives

Hindustan Times  

Presidential elections in the Maldives have been rather traditional — each election offering a new chance to a new president. His “India First” policy increased the country’s development and defence partnership with New Delhi, and Chinese projects harmful to Indian interests were averted. Through rallies, disinformation, and protests, the campaign has politicised India’s defence and development assistance, mustered nationalist sentiments, …

Vantage: How India can undo the setback in Maldives
1 year, 5 months ago

Vantage: How India can undo the setback in Maldives

Firstpost  

The party of Maldives’ new President came up with the ‘India out’ campaign and seeks to end Indian influence in the Maldives The Maldives has elected a new president - Mohamed Muizzu. The same party came up with the ‘India out’ campaign and seeks to end Indian influence in the Maldives. This is a big worry for New Delhi because …

National Institute of Ocean Technology’s Samudrayaan | India suits up for deepest dive yet
2 years ago

National Institute of Ocean Technology’s Samudrayaan | India suits up for deepest dive yet

The Hindu  

The influence of James Cameron, the Canadian-American filmmaker, whose cinema has frequently explored the mysteries of the deep ocean, looms large on scientists at the National Institute of Ocean Technology in Chennai. “It is incredible.” Watch | NIOT to spearhead a 6,000-metre dive into Indian Ocean to explore marine biodiversity Dr. Ramadass and his colleagues aspire to capture some of …

India’s aircraft carriers key to Indo-Pacific strategy
2 years, 1 month ago

India’s aircraft carriers key to Indo-Pacific strategy

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — India is preparing to relaunch its INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier after a major refit, a critical step toward fulfilling its plan to deploy two carrier battle groups as it seeks to strengthen its regional maritime power to counter China’s increasing assertiveness. “This is significant in terms of India’s power projection capabilities, primarily within the Indian Ocean,” said …

Chinese projects in Indian Ocean region pose big threat to India, say IPS top brass
2 years, 2 months ago

Chinese projects in Indian Ocean region pose big threat to India, say IPS top brass

Firstpost  

New Delhi: A key security meeting attended by the top honchos of India’s police forces have expressed deep concerns about the threat posed by China to Indian interests in the wider neighbourhood. Several top Indian Police Service officers at a recently concluded conference of DGPs and IGPs have submitted papers that claim that China wants to reduce India’s influence in …

How China is pushing into Indian Ocean Region through its 'Global Security Initiative'
2 years, 3 months ago

How China is pushing into Indian Ocean Region through its 'Global Security Initiative'

Firstpost  

GSI includes the implementation of four major initiatives: the Belt and Road Initiative, the Health Silk Road, the Digital Silk Road, and the Global Development Initiative. These initiatives demonstrate China’s efforts to increase its presence and influence in the IOR and around the world The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy recently held an online forum for the heads of international …

Is China using Indian Ocean to spy on India?
2 years, 3 months ago

Is China using Indian Ocean to spy on India?

Firstpost  

Several events over the last few years indicate that the primary Chinese threat to Indian strategic interests emenates not from the Himalayas, but several thousands of kilometers away – among the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean New Delhi: Since emerging in their present political forms in the late 1940s, India and China - two ancient civilizations but relatively …

China holds first Indian Ocean Region meet with 19 countries without India
2 years, 3 months ago

China holds first Indian Ocean Region meet with 19 countries without India

India Today  

China held a meeting this week with 19 countries from the Indian Ocean region in which India was conspicuously absent. The China International Development Cooperation Agency, an organisation connected with the Chinese Foreign Ministry held a meeting of the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation on November 21, in which 19 countries took part, according to a press release …

Addressing the China challenge: Perceptive shifts in India’s strategic behaviour hints at greater appetite for risk-taking
3 years, 11 months ago

Addressing the China challenge: Perceptive shifts in India’s strategic behaviour hints at greater appetite for risk-taking

Firstpost  

Notwithstanding the fire and brimstone response from Beijing, New Delhi should gradually aspire for a more normalised, cooperative and rational relationship with Taiwan Measuring up to the China challenge is likely to keep Indian policymakers engaged for the foreseeable future but some signs are emerging of late of an interesting approach. And our prayers for the early recovery of the …

Increasing presence of Chinese research and fishing vessels in Indian Ocean Region
4 years, 3 months ago

Increasing presence of Chinese research and fishing vessels in Indian Ocean Region

The Hindu  

In the last few years, there has been an increasing trend of Chinese research and fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean Region, according to officials. While research activities are allowed in international waters as per international regulations, the data generated has a dual nature including military and many times the motive of the vessels seems doubtful, said a second official. …

India seeks naval edge as China penetrates Indian Ocean
4 years, 5 months ago

India seeks naval edge as China penetrates Indian Ocean

Live Mint  

India’s border conflict with China is pushing New Delhi to look for an asymmetric response: flexing its naval might as it deepens cooperation with other democracies that seek to counter Beijing’s global ambitions. Their economy would be shaken up.” Naval rivalry India is intensifying joint naval maneuvers with the U.S. and its allies while building new ships and setting up …

India China standoff: Indian Navy tracks Chinese research vessel in Indian Ocean
4 years, 6 months ago

India China standoff: Indian Navy tracks Chinese research vessel in Indian Ocean

India TV News  

At a time when tensions rose on the land borders in Ladakh between India and China, the Indian Navy warships tracked a Chinese research vessel which entered the Indian Ocean Region last month. The Chinese research vessel returned to China a few days ago after being under constant watch of Indian Navy vessels, the sources said. In December last year, …

US Signs Defence Cooperation Deal with Maldives Amidst China's Growing Presence in Indian Ocean
4 years, 6 months ago

US Signs Defence Cooperation Deal with Maldives Amidst China's Growing Presence in Indian Ocean

News 18  

Washington: The US has signed a framework for defence cooperation with the Maldives to deepen engagement in support of maintaining peace and security in the strategic Indian Ocean, the Pentagon has announced, as the Trump administration looks for strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific to counter China's growing presence in the region. "The framework sets forth both countries' intent to deepen …

India should build ties and rescue Maldives from China’s debt trap, challenge Beijing's might in the Indian Ocean
6 years, 4 months ago

India should build ties and rescue Maldives from China’s debt trap, challenge Beijing's might in the Indian Ocean

Firstpost  

Beijing would again try to re-establish its clout in Maldives through the debt-trap diplomacy. Disturbing political developments remained a cause of concern for India as unfriendly gestures of former president Yameen frustrated the Modi government’s neighbourhood outreach. Given its security impact in India’s strategic backyard, China’s foray into the Maldives aroused serious concerns in New Delhi. The expression of ‘dismay’ …

India welcomes lifting of emergency in Maldives, but says concerns remain
7 years ago

India welcomes lifting of emergency in Maldives, but says concerns remain

Live Mint  

New Delhi: India on Thursday extended a guarded welcome to the revocation of the state of emergency in the Maldives earlier this week. “While this is one step towards addressing the issues related to the prevailing political situation in that country, a number of concerns expressed by the international community still remain to be addressed,” a statement from the Indian …

Maldives declines India's invitation for 16-nation mega naval exercise 'Milan'
7 years ago

Maldives declines India's invitation for 16-nation mega naval exercise 'Milan'

India TV News  

Maldives has declined India's invitation to participate in the biennial naval exercise Milan, according to Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba. Talking to media persons on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi, Admiral Sunil Lanba said that Maldives has not given any reason for declining the invitation. Responding to a question on China’s aggressive posturing in the Indo-Pacific region, …

China's 'covert' Maldives observatory raises red flags in India, poses threat to safety and freedom of Indian Ocean sea lanes
7 years ago

China's 'covert' Maldives observatory raises red flags in India, poses threat to safety and freedom of Indian Ocean sea lanes

Firstpost  

Maldives opposition has claimed that China is building a joint observatory station there, with military capabilities and provisions for a submarine base. Interestingly, the Maldives observatory is an integral part of Beijing’s “String of Pearls” encircling India, along with the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Gwadar port in Pakistan. The dragon is …

Maldives crisis: 11 Chinese warships sailed into Indian Ocean in February, says report
7 years, 1 month ago

Maldives crisis: 11 Chinese warships sailed into Indian Ocean in February, says report

Firstpost  

Eleven Chinese warships sailed into the East Indian Ocean in February, a Chinese news portal said, amid a constitutional crisis in the tiny tropical island chain of the Maldives now under a state of emergency. Shanghai: Eleven Chinese warships sailed into the East Indian Ocean in February, a Chinese news portal said, amid a constitutional crisis in the tiny tropical …

Chinese warships enter East Indian Ocean amid Maldives tensions
7 years, 1 month ago

Chinese warships enter East Indian Ocean amid Maldives tensions

Live Mint  

Shanghai: Eleven Chinese warships sailed into the East Indian Ocean this month, a Chinese news portal said, amid a constitutional crisis in the tiny tropical island chain of the Maldives now under a state of emergency. A fleet of destroyers and at least one frigate, a 30,000-tone amphibious transport dock and three support tankers entered the Indian Ocean, news portal …

Maldives: India's new front with China
7 years, 1 month ago

Maldives: India's new front with China

Deccan Chronicle  

The Maldives is the second youngest of the South Asian countries. It was the strategic ocean foresight of then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that resulted in the Indo-Maldives Preferential Trade Agreement being signed in 1981; which among other things ensured the supply of all essential commodities to the Maldives from India. When incumbent Maldives President Abdulla Yameen and China’s …

India, China vie for influence as crisis unfolds in Maldives
7 years, 1 month ago

India, China vie for influence as crisis unfolds in Maldives

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — As a political crisis plays out in the Maldives, a quiet tug of war is taking place around it, with heavyweights China and India vying for strategic dominance in the picturesque Indian Ocean nation. At first glance, Beijing and New Delhi want no part in the turmoil that erupted Feb. 1 when the Maldives’ Supreme Court overturned …

China opposes any Indian military intervention in Maldives
7 years, 1 month ago

China opposes any Indian military intervention in Maldives

Live Mint  

Beijing: China on Wednesday opposed any military intervention in the Maldives, saying such a move would further complicate the situation, a day after former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed sought India’s help to resolve the political crisis in the island nation. The picturesque Indian Ocean archipelago plunged into a political chaos last week when the country’s Supreme Court ordered the release …

India hopes Maldives will be sensitive to its concerns after island country signs agreement with China
7 years, 3 months ago

India hopes Maldives will be sensitive to its concerns after island country signs agreement with China

Firstpost  

India said on Thursday that it attaches a lot of importance to its ties with the Maldives and hoped that the country will be sensitive to its concerns. New Delhi: India said on Thursday that it attaches a lot of importance to its ties with the Maldives and hoped that the country will be sensitive to its concerns. “The modalities …

India, US consider joint naval patrols in South China Sea
9 years, 1 month ago

India, US consider joint naval patrols in South China Sea

Hindustan Times  

India and the United States have held “informal discussions” on conducting joint naval patrols, according to a US defence official but no decisions have been taken yet. Reuters reported that joint naval patrols being discussed could include the South China Sea, which is likely to anger China given its claim over most of the waterway. It added that the two …

India’s Emerging Indian Ocean Strategy
9 years, 2 months ago

India’s Emerging Indian Ocean Strategy

The Diplomat  

A few weeks ago, India released its latest maritime guidance document for security operations. The new publication focuses attention on India’s maritime imperatives in its near littorals, giving credence to reports that the Indian Navy is preparing to expand its sphere of operations in the Indian Ocean Region. New Delhi’s dilemma stems from China’s growing economic and diplomatic leverage in …

India need not worry about China's military expansion | India TV News
9 years, 7 months ago

India need not worry about China's military expansion | India TV News

India TV News  

Beijing: India need not worry about China's military expansion in the Maldives under its new law allowing foreigners to own land as the communist nation has no policy to build overseas naval bases but its firms may take up land for commercial use, state-run media reported on Saturday. In view of the Maldives government assurance to keep the Indian Ocean …

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