Indian warships have arrived in the Maldives before India has provided an explanation for its armed troops boarding Maldivian fishing vessels operating in the country's Exclusive Economic Zone.
The issue escalated when Indian naval forces boarded three Maldivian fishing vessels in violation of international maritime laws and regulations, without coordinating with any relevant Maldivian authorities. The government requested details of the operation from the Indian government through the Foreign Ministry. However, neither the government nor the Defense Ministry has disclosed whether a response has been received to date.
Before India provided a response, the Indian Coast Guard stated yesterday that its vessels 'Samarth' and 'Abhinav', along with a Coast Guard helicopter and a Dornier aircraft, had arrived in the Maldives. According to MNDF, these vessels came to the Maldives for training exercises. These exercises aim to further strengthen military ties between the Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka, and to learn how the three countries can operate jointly in maritime incidents.
Additionally, the Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, S. Paramesh, arrived in the Maldives yesterday to participate in this training. Upon his arrival at Velana International Airport, he was welcomed by the Commandant of the MNDF Coast Guard, Colonel Mohamed Saleem.
Fishermen stated that welcoming Indian Coast Guard officials to the Maldives and granting permission for Indian Coast Guard vessels to enter Maldivian territorial waters before the issue of Indian troops boarding Maldivian fishing vessels is resolved is unacceptable.
"All this time they said Indian troops boarded the fishing vessels without permission. Before knowing what happened, bringing Indian warships to the Maldives yesterday makes us uneasy. Surely this time it was done with MNDF's permission. To be honest, it is very difficult to accept," a fisherman said.
Another fisherman said that it is highly inappropriate for MNDF to bring people who plunged Maldivians into fear into the country.
"Anyone who watches the video of the boarding will clearly know the condition of the people on those vessels. Even when telling the story, it gives goosebumps. Bringing Indian troops before knowing what actually happened is unacceptable. This shows that they don't really pay much attention to the incident faced by the fishermen. India out," a fisherman said.
The fishing vessel 'Asurumaa 3' from ADh. Mahibadhoo, which was fishing within the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone 72 nautical miles northeast of HA. Dhidhdhoo, reported that armed Indian naval forces boarded the vessel. Subsequently, the issue of Indian troops boarding two other vessels, 'Mohoraa 3' and 'Niru 7', also surfaced.
Regarding the boarding of the fishing boats by Indian troops, the Defense Ministry stated that it has been confirmed that the boarding teams belonged to Indian Coast Guard Ship 246 and Indian Coast Guard Ship 253.
How this operation unfolded remains entirely unclear. It is also unknown whether a reply to the letter sent by the Foreign Ministry has been received. When Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam was summoned to the Parliament on Tuesday and a member questioned him about the matter, the Minister stated that he was not yet clearly informed about it. He added that details would be disclosed after relevant authorities clarified the matter.
A member has also proposed summoning Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon to the Parliament floor for questioning regarding this issue. Furthermore, the meeting where Ghassan was summoned to the Parliament's National Security Committee on Wednesday was held in secret. The Defense Ministry sent a letter regarding this issue to the 241 Committee. However, the committee decided to keep the letter and the meeting confidential. Therefore, this issue remains in the dark.
