The diplomatic dispute between the Maldives and India has taken a new turn with allegations that China may be secretly constructing a naval base in the Maldives under the guise of an agricultural project [ac93e1b8]. The claims were made by Fayyaz Ismail, chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who stated that China Harbor Engineering Company, suspected to have close ties to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone (MIDF) to construct an Agricultural Economic Zone (AEZ) project at the northernmost island of UTF. The construction of the agricultural project is being used as a cover for a naval base, raising concerns about China's increasing influence and challenging the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean [ac93e1b8].
The allegations come at a time when the Maldives government has given clearance to a Chinese ship, the Xiang Yang Hong 3, to dock in its port. The clearance was granted in response to a diplomatic request made by China for personnel rotation and replenishment. However, the ship will not be conducting any research while docked [6a142f51].
The dispute between the Maldives and India was sparked by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, an Indian archipelago that resembles the Maldives. Some in the Maldives saw Modi's visit as an attempt to lure tourists away from their country. The dispute deepened when Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu visited China and expressed plans to reduce dependence on India. India and China have been competing for influence in the Maldives, with India viewing the country as part of its sphere of influence and China enlisting the Maldives as a partner in its Belt and Road Initiative. President Muizzu has called for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives, accusing his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty. The Indian military has been involved in various activities in the Maldives, including operating aircraft and assisting in rescue operations at sea [cad7776a].
India has raised concerns about the military use of Chinese research vessels in the region. This comes after a strain in India and Maldives' ties following derogatory remarks made by a Maldives minister about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi [6a142f51].
The situation is further complicated by Sri Lanka's recent declaration of a moratorium on research ships docking in its ports, which is believed to be a response to concerns raised by India over a planned visit by a Chinese ship [cad7776a] [6a142f51].
China's ocean spy ship, Xiang Yang Hong 3, has navigated through strategic waters of the Indian Ocean, causing controversy. The ship left the port of Sanya in China's southern Hainan province on January 16 and reached the Maldivian port of Malé on Thursday. The vessel is managed by China's Third Institute of Oceanography but is believed to have links to the PLA. China's maritime activities, including the mapping of the ocean floor for submarine warfare, have raised concerns about intelligence gathering and geopolitical maneuvering. The ship's mission was described as scientific ocean exploration by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The Maldives approved the ship's docking after Sri Lanka denied it access at India's request. The controversy coincides with the Maldives' efforts to strengthen ties with China and shift its geopolitical alignment in the Indian Ocean region. The arrival of Xiang Yang Hong 3 aligns with the commencement of a trilateral naval exercise involving Indian and Sri Lankan coast guard ships. Chinese experts have criticized Sri Lanka's decision to deny the ship access. A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) revealed that over 80 percent of China's 64 active research vessels showed suspect behavior or had links to organizations supporting Beijing's geopolitical agenda. The U.S. has sought to engage with the Maldives in response to China's growing influence in the region [478d3afb].
Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu, who has shown a shift towards China and hostility towards India, has announced that no Indian military personnel will remain in the country after 10 May. India is helping the Maldives construct a dockyard for the Maldivian Coast Guard at Sifavaru on Uthuru-Thila-Falhu atoll. If the claims of China secretly constructing a naval base under the guise of an agricultural project are true, it would be another win for China in their pursuit of increasing their influence in the region [ac93e1b8].