The Agni missile launch is happening despite China's spy ship threat

Agni-V Test India: Though diplomacy is considered to be the peak art of statecraft, it does have a grand record of failure. Authoritarian countries like China use it as a means to perpetuate their lies. Iron hand is the only solution to the problem. India is doing the same with Chinese spy pugs.

India to Test Agni-V – China deploys spy ship on Agni-V

According to reports available in the public domain, India is set to test Agni-V on Abdul Kalam Island. Authorities have already issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding missile tests. The Bay of Bengal is now a ‘No-Fly Zone’ up to December 16, the probable date of testing. Agni-V is a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile. During the first stage of ignition, it has a launch weight of 50,000 kg. It can also carry 1,500 kg of warhead.

However, its range is what makes it intriguing for India’s envious neighbors. India has repeatedly stated that its range is 5,000 kilometres. China does not believe that, and its experts claim that Agni-V can hit targets located 8,000 kilometres away with pinpoint accuracy.

Also read: India fries the circuits of Chinese ship docked at Hambantota port

China does it in order to entice European nations to confront India. If we go by the stated range of the missile from India, a large part of China will be under its grip. And if we listen to China and believe that the missile’s range is 8,000 km, then the whole of Europe as well as China is under its radar.

China wants to collect the evidence for its narrative about Agni-V. It is sending its spy ship to keep an eye on the testing by India. Reports indicate that Yuan Wang 5, part of the Chinese fleet of spy vessels, has entered the Indian Ocean.

The ship operated by the Strategic Support Force of the Chinese Navy was last seen in the Sunda Strait of Indonesia. The Indian Navy is taking the required action, but the problem with the Chinese is that they park their ship in international waters. The High Sea is open to every kind of vessel except warships.

Also read: India is closely monitoring Chinese vessels coming to Sri Lanka

Yuan Wang changed its course to spy on India

Experts suggest that the ship changed its course after India announced its intention of conducting the missile test.

Speculative, but it appears like Yuan Wang 5, #China's satellite & missile tracking ship might be heading back to the #IndianOcean region pic.twitter.com/J81gTjFtNU
— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) December 2, 2022

This analysis is based on the often seen behaviour of Yuan Wang. It is infamous for standing like a stoic demigod in International waters. Its main job is keeping an eye on every other country posing a credible challenge to Chinese authoritarianism on global stages. No wonder India is on its radar. Last month, it foiled India’s plan.

India had planned a similar missile test in November as well. A few days ahead of such a test, Yuan Wang VI entered the Indian Ocean. Even then, the Chinese Navy had acted after India issued a prior but regulatory compulsive announcement of NOTAM. At that time, India could not make a proper arrangement to counter the threat posed by the Chinese spy pug and had to cancel its plan.

Also read: China has been caught spying on Prime Ministers, Presidents, Premiers and Justices of US, India, Australia and many others

India is well prepared

Not this time though. The very fact that the Indian government has declared NOTAM indicates that India is well prepared to counter this threat. India is aware of the way Chinese ships act and most likely our officials will shield the information about Agni missile.

If we go by how we countered the positioning of Yuan Wang V at Hambantota port in August, there is a high probability that the spy vessel’s interceptors will again be fed with fake information. In August, Chinese interceptors are reported to have come to a standstill thanks to the frying of their circuit by India.

While we seem to have found a temporary solution to the problem, it is not a sustainable one. Unless we corner these irritating ships in international waters, our national interest will keep getting temporarily hurt. There is a strong need for a solid counterpunch by India.