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Last Updated:May 16, 2025, 13:27 IST
Although primarily an observatory vessel, Da Yang Yi Hao can deter India from escalating strikes into Pakistan’s heartland, such as Karachi, say government sources
The ship can track Indian retaliatory actions against Pakistani naval assets in Karachi port and the Gwadar CPEC hub. (CNN-News18)
The presence of Chinese survey vessel Da Yang Yi Hao in Indian waters after Operation Sindoor serves multiple strategic objectives for China and Pakistan, say government sources.
In response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, India struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of Operation Sindoor on May 7. After four days of unprovoked attacks from Pakistan and India’s strong retaliation, a ceasefire was reached on May 10. Throughout India’s fight against terrorism, China supported Pakistan, calling it an “all-weather" ally and even providing it support through weapons.
“The vessel’s mission is possibly to test India’s maritime surveillance and response capabilities. It aims to identify gaps in India’s ability to secure its waters, potentially weakening its credibility as a regional security provider," they said.
CAN MONITOR INDIAN WARSHIP MOVEMENTS
Following Operation Sindoor, India’s military, particularly its naval forces in the Arabian Sea and northern Indian Ocean, is on high alert. The Da Yang Yi Hao’s advanced sensors and hydrographic equipment allow China to monitor Indian warship movements, including INS Vikrant.
Here’s how it could help Pakistan, according to government sources:
Information gathered could support China’s plans for a military logistics base in Pakistan, specifically in Jiwani, Gwadar, or Djibouti.This ship may be used to map submarine routes and underwater terrain, which are critical for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) planning.The vessel can intercept communications between Indian Navy units, providing insights into Indian operational protocols and crisis responses.China also aims to protect its CPEC interests. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key pillar of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), relies heavily on stability in Pakistan.By deploying this ship post-Sindoor, China signals solidarity with Islamabad and gathers intelligence.The ship can track Indian retaliatory actions against Pakistani naval assets in Karachi port and the Gwadar CPEC hub.Although primarily an observatory vessel, it can deter India from escalating strikes into Pakistan’s heartland, such as Karachi.By repeatedly deploying vessels like Yuan Wang-6 in 2024, China aims to legitimise its military-civilian footprint in the Indian Ocean and challenge India’s historical dominance, said sources. India, meanwhile, has said it is keeping an eye on Pakistan and any misadventure will lead to an appropriate response.
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