Bay of Bengal | July 10, 2025 – Bharat Global Time
In a serious breach of maritime norms, a Chinese surveillance vessel was caught secretly operating in the Bay of Bengal, allegedly attempting to hide its identity and movement — triggering immediate response from the Indian Navy and raising fresh concerns over Beijing’s intent in the region.
According to high-level defense sources, the vessel was detected last week while operating under “dark ship” mode, which means its Automatic Identification System (AIS) was deliberately turned off, a violation of international maritime protocol.
“This is not just suspicious—it’s a direct challenge to India’s maritime security,” a top Indian Navy official told Bharat Global Time.
The Vessel: A Spy in Disguise?
The ship, identified as ‘Yuan Wang-class auxiliary tracking vessel’, is commonly used by China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) for missile tracking, satellite surveillance, and underwater reconnaissance.
But here’s what raised alarm:
- The ship was sailing without transponders near Indian military exercises.
- It was suspected to be trailing Indian submarine movements.
- Navy radars found irregular sonar activity, suggesting underwater mapping attempts.
This isn’t the first time a Chinese ship has been spotted snooping in the Indian Ocean, but this one came dangerously close to India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Indian Navy Responds Swiftly
Once detected, the Indian Navy:
- Dispatched two P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to shadow the vessel
- Deployed INS Kamorta-class corvette for a close visual ID
- Issued a formal radio warning, forcing the Chinese ship to alter course
Sources say the vessel has since retreated towards Myanmar waters, but not before capturing classified images — likely of Indian naval drills underway near the Andaman & Nicobar Command.
Why Is China Interested in Bay of Bengal?
The Bay of Bengal is now a key theatre in Indo-Pacific geopolitics.
- It’s home to critical Indian naval bases
- It’s the entry point to the Malacca Strait, vital to China’s energy imports
- China wants to monitor India’s missile tests and undersea activities
- Beijing is also building dual-use ports in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Myanmar
This latest incident comes just days after:
- India launched Operation Samudra Watch, a naval surveillance mission
- The US and India signed a data-sharing pact on maritime tracking
- Quad nations warned about growing Chinese intrusion in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
Diplomatic Fallout?
India is expected to lodge a formal diplomatic protest through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), although China may deny wrongdoing, as it has in past incidents.
“China’s maritime behavior is increasingly aggressive and opaque,” said a defense analyst. “They are testing boundaries — literally.”
Strategic Takeaway
This is not just about one ship. It’s part of a larger pattern of Chinese maritime espionage, designed to challenge India’s control in the eastern Indian Ocean.
With India rapidly expanding its presence in the Bay — including new submarine bases, aircraft carrier patrols, and satellite coverage — the Bay of Bengal is now a flashpoint for silent, high-stakes underwater conflict.
Stay with Bharat Global Time as we uncover more from satellite data, naval briefings, and regional maritime intelligence. India’s eastern waters are heating up — and the world is watching.
