Maldives Snubs Renewal Of Underwater Surveys Pact Amidst Deteriorating Ties With India

President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has announced that the country will not renew its agreement with India for conducting hydrographic surveys.

Instead, the Maldives plans to acquire the necessary facilities and machinery to undertake these surveys independently.

Photo Credit: PTI

Maldives Snubs Renewal Of Underwater Surveys Pact

This decision comes amidst efforts to establish a 24X7 monitoring system for the Maldivian waters to ensure control of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), despite its vast area. The announcement follows a recent defence cooperation agreement signed between China and the Maldives, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

Muizzu's administration has taken a pro-China stance since assuming office last year, leading to a strain in India-Maldives relations. Muizzu emphasized his commitment to safeguarding Maldives' sovereignty by demanding the withdrawal of Indian troops shortly after taking office in November 2023, as reported by PTI.

The decision not to renew the hydrographic survey agreement with India signifies a shift in the country's foreign relations strategy. Muizzu highlighted the importance of conducting underwater surveys independently to gain insights into Maldives' underwater features, claiming ownership of this information as the country's heritage.

This marks the first public comment from Muizzu regarding his government's hydrographic survey plans, following the review of over 100 agreements signed with India by previous administrations. Additionally, Muizzu pledged to establish a 24X7 monitoring system for Maldivian waters in March, addressing concerns about the lack of control over its EEZ, as per PTI reports.

Despite being an integral part of Maldives' territory, the EEZ has been challenging to monitor due to capacity limitations. The Maldives Coastguard currently relies on assistance from neighbouring countries' militaries for regular patrols and special operations. These developments underscore the Maldives' efforts to assert its sovereignty and enhance its maritime security capabilities amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean region.