India to Replace Crew for Maldivian Relief Helicopters Amidst Growing Tensions Over Chinese Ship’s Activities
In a development that adds to the complexity of regional dynamics, a Chinese dual-use survey ship, Xiang Yang Hong 3, is set to dock at Malé seaport for personnel rotation and replenishment. The move coincides with India’s decision to replace non-civilian crews with civilian ones for Maldivian ALH helicopters, a decision fueled by Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu making the crew replacement a focal point in the upcoming Majlis elections in April.
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Indo-Maldivian Helicopter Crew Replacement
According to sources, the civilian crew will gradually replace existing non-civilian crews for Maldivian ALH helicopters, starting with one in March, followed by the second ALH and the Dornier in April and May. President Muizzu’s government emphasizes that the crew replacement is crucial for the three aircraft operated by India in the Maldives for relief and rescue missions.
Chinese Ship’s Arrival Sparks Security Concerns
The arrival of the Chinese survey ship, Xiang Yang Hong 3, raises security concerns as it possesses both civilian research and military surveillance capabilities. The Maldivian government clarifies that the ship will only undergo operational turnaround in Malé and will not engage in any research within the Maldivian exclusive economic zone. However, the ship’s suspicious behavior, including turning off its transponder multiple times, has triggered alarm bells.
The Indian Navy has closely monitored the Chinese ship since it entered the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Marine Traffic monitoring sites reveal that the vessel’s transponder has been consistently switched off for the past two weeks, indicating an intentional effort to avoid tracking. While the ship has not exhibited research or surveillance activities in the IOR, concerns linger about its intentions post-rotation and replenishment in Malé.
Regional Impact of Chinese Naval Activities
This development follows a series of Chinese naval activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in recent years. In 2023 alone, the Chinese Navy deployed approximately 23 warships, including a conventional diesel-electric submarine. Additionally, 11 Chinese research and survey ships were spotted in the region, raising questions about the true nature of their activities.
The Xi Jinping regime insists that these ships are conducting surveys in support of Maldives and Sri Lanka. However, Indian intelligence inputs suggest a more strategic motive, with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) potentially charting new submarine routes through Sunda, Lombok, and Ombai-Wetar straits in the Indian Ocean bed. The need for alternative routes arises from depth issues in the Andamans Sea when submarines enter through the Malacca Straits.
Heightened Regional Tensions
As India expresses serious concerns over Chinese activities in the region, the docking of Xiang Yang Hong 3 in Malé adds to the already heightened regional tensions. With the Indo-Maldivian relations at the forefront, the upcoming Majlis elections and the evolving situation in the Indian Ocean Region will undoubtedly shape the geopolitical landscape in the near future.
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