The Maldivian government has formally asked New Delhi to explain why Indian Coast Guard (ICG) personnel went onboard three Maldivian fishing vessels in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The incident is the latest development in the diplomatic tussle between the two nations, which has been ongoing since President Mohamed Muizzu acceded to office.
The Incident
In posts on the microblogging site X on 31 January, the Bodu Kanneli Maveringe Union (BKMU), a Maldivian Fishermen’s union, said that Indian soldiers illegally boarded the boats Asurumaa 3, Niru 7, and Maahoara 3. The union shared videos of the incidents that took place on Wednesday and asked the Maldives Defence National Force (MDNF) to take necessary action.
31 ޖަނަވަރީ ވީ ބުދަދުވަހު ރާއްޖޭގެ ކަނޑުގެ ސަރަހައްދުގައި މަސްވެރިކަން ކުރަމުން ދަނިކޮށް އަސުރުމާ3، ނިރު7 އަދި މާހޯރަ3 ދޯންޏަށް އިންޑިއާ ސިފައިން އަރައިގެން ހަރަކާތްތެރި ވަމުންދާ މަންޒަރު! @MNDF_Official @MFORmv pic.twitter.com/enBMU0jRxq
— Bodu Kanneli Masveringe union- BKMU (@FishermensUnion) February 2, 2024
As soon as confirmation was received, the MNDF Coastguard vessel Shaheed Ali was deployed to handle the incident. The MDNF has established that the boats were stormed by boarding teams from India Coast Guard Ship 246 and India Coast Guard Ship 253. As per local media reports, the armed Indian soldiers searched the boats and interrogated the fishermen on board. They also demanded the boat’s satellite phone numbers.
In addition to the incident on Wednesday, Indian soldiers reportedly stormed the Maahoara 3 boat again on Thursday midnight and threatened the sailors.
Maldives Seeks Explanation from India
Subsequently, the Maldivian Defence Ministry issued a statement concerning the incident. It informed that the Maldivian Foreign Ministry had asked India to provide details of the operation on 1 February.
“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,” the statement mentioned.
ނޫސް ބަޔާން pic.twitter.com/af45P82WSU
— Ministry of Defence (@MoDmv) February 2, 2024
The ministry added that the ICG had boarded the Maldivian boats in violation of international maritime law and regulations, as it had not conducted prior consultations with relevant authorities. So far, there has been no official response from the Indian side on the incident.
Diplomatic Rift, Troop Withdrawal
Amid increasing diplomatic tensions, India and the Maldives held their Second High-Level Core Group meeting on 2 February. The Indian release mentioned that the two sides agreed on a set of “mutually workable solutions” to allow the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives.
Meanwhile, the Maldivian release mentioned that the two countries had agreed that India would “replace” its military personnel from the Maldives in two phases — by 10 March and 10 May. Earlier, it was reported that Muizzu had set a 15 March deadline for Indian troop removal from the country.
Around 88 Indian troops are currently stationed in the Maldives, along with the Dornier aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters. Muizzu has been pressing the Indian government to expedite the process of troop removal, an agenda that was central to the pro-China president’s electoral victory.