After previously issuing threats to expel Indian soldiers, the Maldives has opted not to renew an agreement with India for hydrographic surveys in its waters. The decision was announced by the Maldivian Undersecretary for Public Policy, revealing that President Mohamad Muizzu’s administration has chosen not to extend the hydrography agreement with India, set to expire on June 7, 2024. India has not yet commented on the matter. The agreement, initiated five years ago during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Male, required a six-month notice for termination; otherwise, it automatically renewed for another five years.
President Muizzu’s government aims to eliminate what it perceives as ‘secret bilateral meetings’ from the previous administration, expressing concerns about threats to the country’s independence and sovereignty. The decision was made after consultations with the cabinet. Maldives asserts that it is in its national interest to utilize its own military for surveys to safeguard sensitive information.
India had been conducting hydrographic surveys in Maldives’ territorial waters since the memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2019, involving the study and mapping of reefs, lagoons, coastlines, and ocean currents. President Muizzu had previously called for the withdrawal of Indian soldiers stationed in the country, where 77 soldiers assist in operating a helicopter and two Dornier aircraft for relief and humanitarian purposes. However, these soldiers have yet to return due to their essential roles.
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