Two Chinese vessels in Arabian Sea, India keeps a close watch
The presence of two Chinese survey vessels in international waters of the Arabian Sea has been reported with Indian security agencies closing monitoring their activities. The vessels — capable of mapping the sea-bed for resources and identifying optimal submarine routes — have been operating in the area since November last year, although these have remained outside India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends 370 km from the shore.
Classified as “science vessels” and officially tasked with “fishing surveys”, these ships are also known to perform strategic roles for the Chinese Navy, including recording underwater submarine sounds, monitoring warships of other nations and intercepting radio communications on open channels.
A similar Chinese survey vessel had conducted surveys around the Maldives in April 2024. It again returned to the region in November last year, sources said.
China has a huge “distant-water fishing fleet” in the Arabian sea. Many countries have raised concerns over the presence of illegal fishing fleets in the region. Indian security agencies too have flagged the presence of 175 Chinese vessels in international waters of the Arabian sea since November last year. These vessels are now permanently operating in the Arabian Sea, except during the May-August fishing ban.
The activities of Chinese survey ships in the Arabian Sea have raised concerns among several countries, including India. These vessels are equipped with advanced technology to conduct oceanographic and hydrographic surveys, including studying marine environments, currents, climatic patterns and mapping the ocean floor. India has often questioned China’s intentions since such data collection could have significant strategic implications, including the potential to undermine regional security.
The Arabian Sea is a critical maritime zone, serving as a vital transit route for global energy supplies and connecting major economies. China has been expanding its fleet of survey vessels, which it claims are for scientific purposes.
