Additionally, President Muizzu unveiled plans to establish a 24/7 monitoring system for Maldivian waters, enhancing control over the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)….reports Asian Lite News
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has declared the country’s intention to cease its agreement with India for hydrographic surveys. Instead, Maldives aims to develop its own capabilities for conducting such surveys independently. This shift reflects Maldives’ evolving approach to maritime activities, emphasising self-sufficiency.
During a ceremony on an island he visited, President Muizzu announced the decision, stating, “This will enable Maldives to carry out underwater surveys autonomously, gaining comprehensive insights into our underwater features and producing our own charts.”
Additionally, President Muizzu unveiled plans to establish a 24/7 monitoring system for Maldivian waters, enhancing control over the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This move, reported by PTI, underscores Maldives’ commitment to bolstering maritime security and asserting sovereignty over territorial waters.
These developments mark the first public disclosure from President Muizzu’s government regarding its hydrographic survey plans, following an announcement to review over 100 agreements with India made by previous administrations.
Initiatives for hydrographic surveys in collaboration with India’s hydrography office began in January 2021. Under the previous administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, an agreement was reached with the Indian government to map Maldives’ underwater features.
“We have decided not to renew the agreement with the Indian government for scanning and acquiring insights into our underwater terrain. These underwater details are part of our heritage. They conduct scans, draw maps, and we end up purchasing the data from them,” stated Muizzu.
This move signifies Maldives’ determination to assert control over its maritime domain and underscores its commitment to self-reliance in hydrographic surveys and maritime security.
Notably, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is considered close to China and he even ran the electoral campaign on the line of ‘India Out’. Since coming to power, he has taken several steps that have been unconventional from the point of view of India-Maldives ties.
The removal of Indian troops from Maldives was the main election campaign of Muizzu’s party and he put up a formal request with New Delhi regarding the same, just on the second day after assuming office.
The first batch of Indian technical personnel has arrived in Maldives to replace the existing personnel in Maldives. Addressing a weekly press briefing in Delhi on February 29, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have had the first batch of technical personnel reach the Maldives, Male, to replace the existing personnel.”
“The first team of technical personnel to operate the advanced light helicopter at Gan has reached Maldives. It will replace the existing personnel that were, until now, operating this platform…,” said Jaiswal.
Notably, MEA earlier stated in its statement that both India and Maldives have agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives.
On February 26, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar affirmed his belief that the row with the Maldives will be resolved through diplomacy. He also said that sometimes misunderstandings take place between two nations.
The EAM was speaking at the event ‘The Rise of the Global South’ at TV9 Bharatvarsh Conclave on Monday. Responding to the Maldives row, Jaishankar said, “Humanity is humanity. Diplomacy is diplomacy, and politics is politics. The whole world doesn’t always run with obligation…so if we have encountered such a situation, the solution will come through diplomacy only.”
“We have to make people understand, sometimes people don’t even have complete knowledge of things, sometimes people get misguided on what others say,” he added.
Jaishankar further described the primary functions performed by the Indian military personnel and aviation platforms in Maldives.
“There are two Indian helicopters and one plane in the Maldives. Mostly, it is used for medvac (medical evacuation) purposes. The people of the Maldives are the beneficiaries of it. But, these are military planes, so who will run them? Obviously, military personnel,” Jaishankar said.
He said that the Indian side is holding multiple rounds of discussion with the Maldivian side to resolve whatever differences they have.
“They had some objection, so we said, ‘Come on, let’s discuss and reach a solution. So, even if our intention is good, policy is clear, we reach such a situation, and we have to find a solution. I firmly believe that we will be able to resolve this matter as well,” the EAM added.
Notably, India and Maldives have held two High-Level Core Group meetings. During the meeting, both sides agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives, according to MEA. (ANI)
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