Recent reports from Chinese media highlight that China has bolstered its naval presence in the Indian Ocean. In addition to the anti-piracy task force already operating in the western Indian Ocean, a group of Chinese military vessels have recently been deployed to the eastern part of the ocean. The increased Chinese presence could be due to previously scheduled naval exercises, but the timing suggests it's linked to the crisis in the Maldives. Since Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen imposed a state of emergency on Feb. 5, India and China have been navigating their options for how to address the island nation's ongoing crisis. So far, India has refrained from sending troops to preserve its dwindling political influence in the Maldives, instead chosing a diplomatic path by asking the United Nations to pressure Yameen's government to restore democracy.