India on Sunday dispatched its largest and most potent warship, INS Vikramaditya, to Maldives along with two other aircraft warships - INS Mysore and INS Deepak. INS Vikramaditya will reportedly be performing maritime functions in Maldives from February 15 to 18.

INS Vikramaditya was recently deployed to Sri Lanka from January to January 21-22.       

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India's decision to send its aircraft warship to neighboring countries reinforces its plans to increase its maritime influence in the Indian Ocean region. Simultaneously, it will also keep tab on China. Beijing has also been making moves to enhance its maritime influence in the Indian Ocean region.

China is already in the process of making a huge port in Gwadar (Pakistan) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka). A move that will certainly give the country a huge maritime presence in the Indian Ocean region. This is apparently causing some paranoia among Indian security establishments.       

A reason why India, along with providing maritime assistance, will also be providing other types of military assistance to Maldives. According to reports, India is already in the process of stepping up its military presence and also supplying Dornier patrol aircraft and helicopters to Maldives.                 

Interestingly, India's latest move comes immediately after Bangladesh cancelled a port project with a Chinese company. Bangladesh reportedly stalled the project at the behest of India and America.

India and the U.S were recently reported to be planning for joint naval patrol in the South China Sea. Following a Reuters report about the upcoming patrol, Beijing issued a warning to both countries.   

TagsIndia, Maldives, china