Despite the handshakes and congratulatory messages during Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s brief visit to India for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in, the ties between the two countries remain strained. In a recent development, the Maldives Parliamentary Committee adopted a resolution to scrutinise four agreements signed with India by the previous government.
According to the Economic Times, the agreements under scrutiny include a hydrography agreement between India and the Maldives, the Uthuru Thila Falhu Dockyard project supported by India and the Dornier aircraft gifted by India to the Maldives Defence Forces for humanitarian and search and rescue missions.
The resolution was passed by the 20th Parliament’s Security Services Committee, also known as the Parliament 241 Committee, which claims that these agreements pose a threat to the sovereignty and independence of the Maldives. The review decision followed a proposal by Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Azan. These agreements were signed during President Solih’s administration.
Hydrographic survey agreement
In December last year, the Maldives government led by President Muizzu chose not to renew the hydrographic survey agreement with India, which expired on 7 June, 2024.
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the Maldives on 8 June, 2019, a significant hydrographic survey agreement was signed. This agreement authorised India to conduct comprehensive surveys of the Maldives’ territorial waters, including its reefs, lagoons, coastlines, ocean currents and tidal levels.
Hydrographic surveys, carried out by ships equipped with tools like sonar, investigate various aspects of water bodies. As described by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, these surveys map water depth, seafloor and coastline shapes, potential obstructions and other physical features, ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic.
According to Moneycontrol, the inaugural meeting of the Joint Commission on Hydrography took place in the Maldives in September 2019. Subsequently, in February and March of 2021, the Indian Naval Ship Darshak executed the first joint hydrographic survey. This collaborative effort continued with three surveys conducted in 2021, 2022 and 2023, covering 944 square kilometres, including regions not surveyed since 1853. These surveys utilised multi-beam echo sounders and included tidal measurements for accurate tidal predictions.
The primary objective of these surveys was to update Navigational Charts/Electronic Navigational Charts, benefiting various industries such as tourism, fishing, and agriculture by providing precise and current maritime information.
Uthuru Thila Falhu Dockyard project
In February 2021, India and the Maldives formally agreed to develop a Coastguard harbour and dockyard at the Uthuru Thila Falhu naval base. The agreement was signed by Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, under the framework of a defence action plan established in 2016 by then-Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom during his visit to India.
The scope of the agreement includes the construction of the harbour and dockyard, along with essential infrastructure development. India is also tasked with enhancing communications resources, radar services, and training support. Despite these developments, the Maldives National Defence Force clarified that no Indian military personnel would be stationed at the base.
The joint statement after the signing of the deal had said that the agreement was signed pursuant to a request made by the Government of Maldives in April 2013 for support and cooperation from the Government of India to help enhance the capability of the Maldives Defence Forces in exercising jurisdiction and undertaking maritime surveillance of its Exclusive Economic Zone and islands.
Dornier Maritime Surveillance aircraft
In September 2020, Maldives received Dornier Maritime Surveillance aircraft from the Indian Navy, which was termed a “colossal milestone” in the defence ties between the two countries.
The purpose of the aircraft was to help the country in maritime and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) surveillance, humanitarian assistance, disaster and medical relief. Moreover, the purpose was to help the Maldivians in the northern atolls and identify foreign vessels. However, as things stand now the aircraft is lying idle in the archipelago with no one trained in the country to fly it.
Return of Indian military personnel to India
As demanded by President Muizzu, all 77 Indian military personnel deployed in the island nation were sent back in May this year.
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