Amid the current diplomatic dispute, the government of the Maldives has officially asked New Delhi to furnish "comprehensive details" regarding an incident where Indian Coast Guard personnel allegedly boarded three Maldivian fishing vessels operating within the country's economic zone without prior consultation. 

On Friday night, the Maldives defense ministry released a statement asserting that on January 31, their military received information that a foreign military had boarded a Maldivian fishing vessel. Upon reaching the location, it was discovered that the individuals involved belonged to the Indian Coast Guard. The statement further noted that the Maldivian military also observed Indian Coast Guard personnel boarding two additional boats. However, the statement did not provide details on the actions taken by the Indian Coast Guard personnel on the boats.

The defense ministry statement said, “On Feb. 1, 2024, the foreign ministry of the Maldives has asked (India) officially for the details of the operation that was carried out while Maldivians were fishing in the Maldivian exclusive economic zone, without any coordination with the relevant authorities and against all international laws." 

“Consequently, the Maldivian government has initiated an official request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seeking comprehensive details of the incident from the Indian government,” it added.

There was no immediate response from the Indian government to the Maldivian allegations.

The statement said that boarding teams from Indian Coast Guard Ship 246 and Indian Coast Guard Ship 253 were responsible for interrogating the fishing boats.

The election of a pro-China leader in the Maldives has heightened the already tense relationship between India and China. Both countries are actively competing for influence in this strategically positioned nation, which holds significance along crucial sea routes.

Earlier on Friday, in the second meeting of the high-level core group between Indian and Maldivian officials in New Delhi, it was decided that India will withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives between March and May, but will continue to operate the two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the island nation with the help of Indian civilian replacements and Maldivian defense personnel.

The Maldives Foreign Ministry statement said, “both sides agreed that the Government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by 10 March 2024, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by 10 May 2024”.

Image source: PTI