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The Maldives has formally requested comprehensive details from the Indian government regarding an incident involving the alleged boarding of three Maldivian fishing vessels by Indian Coast Guard personnel within the Maldives’ economic zone.
The dispute intensified when, on January 31, the Indian Army intercepted a Maldivian fishing boat operating within the Maldives’ Special Economic Zone, situated 72 nautical miles northeast of Dhidhdhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll. The Maldives’ defence ministry claimed that Indian troops boarded three fishing boats within their economic zone without prior consultation, violating international maritime laws and regulations.
The Maldivian government, in response, initiated an official request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking detailed information from the Indian government about the incident. Indian Coast Guard Ship 246 and Indian Coast Guard Ship 253 were identified as the vessels responsible for interrogating the fishing boats.
President Muizzu, who defeated the India-friendly incumbent in the last election, previously requested India to withdraw 88 military personnel from the Maldives by March 15. This request was based on the “strong mandate” given to him by the Maldivian people. The call for withdrawal came after a diplomatic row involving derogatory social media posts by three of Muizzu’s ministers against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A high-level meeting in New Delhi resulted in the agreement of “mutually workable solutions” for the continuation of Indian aviation platform operations in the Maldives. Presently, around 80 Indian military personnel operate two helicopters and an aircraft, conducting numerous medical evacuations and humanitarian missions. India pledged to replace military personnel on the three aviation platforms by May 10, with the first phase completed by March 10.
The replacement process is part of the broader effort to address the diplomatic tensions and uphold the longstanding cooperation between the two nations. The Maldivian foreign ministry affirmed that both sides agreed on the timeline for the withdrawal and replacement of military personnel involved in operating the aviation platforms.
The incident involving the boarding of Maldivian fishing vessels adds another layer of complexity to the evolving diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives. As both countries navigate these challenges, the resolution of the current dispute will likely shape the trajectory of their future interactions in the geopolitical arena.