Another Chinese spy ship enters Indian Ocean Region

New Delhi, Mar 31: The tension between India and China has risen in the Indian Ocean as it has sent its Chinese spy ship in near Indian waters.

 

"Hai Yang Shi You", a Chinese "spy ship", has been spotted close to the Indian coast -- 161 nautical miles off the coast of Paradip in Orissa on Sunday. The ship was located roughly northeast of Paradip port and is currently in the Bay of Bengal.

 

 

The "research vessel" was tasked to get details including the depth and salinity in parts of the Bay of Bengal. These data are particularly useful for submarine activity in the future.

 

Notably, the 'Hai Yang Shi You' is a modern ship, built in Tianjin in 2015, and weighs about 2,000 tonnes. These ships have been regularly sent into the Indian Ocean by the Chinese Navy and currently, there are two other research vessels in the area. Here is what is known so far about the said ships.

 

This is not the first time that China has sent a 'research vessel' to the region. Chinese vessel 'Yung Wang 5' had docked in the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota last August. The Hambantota port was built by the Chinese in the island nation. The ship's docking had led to heightened diplomatic activity between India and Sri Lanka.