The Chinese deep-sea vessel Shen Hai Yi Hao’s recent voyage to the Maldives has raised alarm in New Delhi amidst escalating Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This vessel, equipped for extensive underwater exploration, could potentially serve military purposes under the façade of scientific research, a development India views with suspicion. The mission coincides with strengthened Sino-Maldivian ties, which include new defense agreements that heighten strategic tensions. Analysts express concerns that such operations may undermine India’s maritime security and compel it to bolster surveillance and partnerships with allied nations, highlighting the broader implications of China’s expanding presence in the IOR for regional stability and resource competition.