New Delhi: Reports say that a Chinese research vessel was operating near Port Blaire in Andaman and Nicobar islands in Indian waters. Though, the vessel, Shi Yan 1, was conducting research activities in the area, India suspects the vessel of being a Chinese spy vessel to monitor the Indian activities in the Island territory.
The boat was detected by maritime surveillance aircraft operating there. An Indian Navy warship was sent there to monitor its activities. The Navy ordered the vessel to move out of Indian waters. As per law no countries are allowed to carry out any research or exploration activities in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
Shi Yan 1 left the area after being ordered by the Indian Navy and moved to another destination towards China.
Incursion from China is not new in the area. ANI reports that recently, the Indian Navy’s P-81 maritime surveillance aircraft detected seven Chinese Navy warships in and around Indian Ocean Region.
The report says that China frequently ventures into Indian waters claiming that it is for anti-piracy patrols but Indian security forces do not buy it. The suspicion increases because these warships are accompanied by nuclear and conventional submarines, which is not needed for anti-piracy operations.
However, the Indian P-81 aircraft is constantly tracking the activities and movements of Chinese ships in the area.
