Chinese research ship close to India's EEZ

COLOMBO (News 1st); International maritime traffic monitoring platforms revealed that the Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6 is engaged in either research or observation activities close to the Exclusive Economic Zone of India. 

The vessel was reportedly moving close to the Nicobar Islands at a very slow pace. 

The Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6 entered the Indian Ocean via the Malacca Strait and was observed close to the Nicobar Islands.

The vessel that was heading towards Sri Lanka yesterday, later turned to the Bay of Bengal and proceeded towards the Nicobar Islands, located close to the Exclusive Economic Zone of India, at a very slow pace.

When monitoring the route of this vessel, it was observed that the Shi Yan 6 was moving along the Ninety East Ridge, a one-dimensional structure situated on the floor of Indian Ocean.

The Yuan Wang 5 that reached Sri Lanka last year, and the Xiang Yang Hong, that reached the island over the past three years also engaged in operations in the area known as the Ninety East Ridge.

In the past two decades, India and the United States have engaged in multiple research projects in this area called the Ninety East Ridge.