China has dispatched three research ships to the Indian Ocean, a region often regarded as within India’s sphere of influence. This move underscores Beijing’s ongoing efforts to expand its maritime presence. As of now, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not publicly commented on the situation, and there has been no immediate response from China’s Foreign Ministry regarding inquiries.
The significance of this development is pronounced. India is a vital security partner of the United States in countering China’s assertive activities across the Indo-Pacific. Both nations are key members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which also includes Australia and Japan. This strategic alliance aims to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region.
China’s military expansion in the Indian Ocean relies heavily on its “dual-use” civilian research vessels, which form the largest fleet of their kind globally. These ships can gather critical maritime data that may support military operations in distant waters. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, this capability enables China to enhance its naval power projection.
Citing open-source ship-tracking data, maritime analyst Ray Powell from the Stanford University-affiliated group SeaLight reported that the Chinese vessels Lan Hai 201, Shen Hai Yi Hao, and Shi Yan 6 were active in the Indian Ocean as of November 2023. The Lan Hai 201, also known as Blue Ocean 201, is a large vessel designed for comprehensive scientific surveys, capable of collecting and analyzing data globally. The Shen Hai Yi Hao, or Deep Sea No. 1, features a manned submersible for deep-sea sample collection, while the Shi Yan 6, known as Experiment 6, is intended for geophysical surveys.
Tracking data indicates that the Lan Hai 201 has been surveying waters near India and the Maldives since November 13, while the Shen Hai Yi Hao has been operating around Diego Garcia, a critical U.S. military outpost, since November 10. Recently, Damien Symon, an open-source intelligence analyst, noted that the Shi Yan 6 was heading towards Mauritius after transiting through Indonesian waters.
Beijing has previously asserted that its scientific research activities comply with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, emphasizing that these missions aim to enhance global understanding of oceanic conditions.
During this backdrop of Chinese maritime activity, India has declared a no-fly zone for a missile test in the Bay of Bengal, effective from December 1 to December 4, 2023. The no-fly zone extends over 1,000 miles from the Indian coast, reflecting India’s heightened security measures in response to regional dynamics.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies highlighted in its January 2024 report that China is significantly enhancing its naval capabilities to operate far beyond its shores. As the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ventures into less familiar waters, Beijing aims to deepen its understanding of maritime conditions, including currents and seabed characteristics.
In February 2024, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, reiterated that China’s maritime research activities are for peaceful purposes, aimed at contributing to humanity’s scientific understanding of the ocean while adhering to international legal frameworks.
As China continues to assert its presence in the Indian Ocean, it has maintained a consistent naval deployment in the Gulf of Aden since 2008, where it conducts escort missions to combat piracy. This ongoing military engagement reflects China’s broader strategy to secure its interests and enhance its influence in critical maritime regions.
