The Maldives government has sought clarification from India regarding the recent incident when Indian coast guard personnel boarded three Maldivian fishing vessels without consultation. The Maldives defense ministry issued a statement on Friday night, stating that its military was informed that a foreign military had boarded a Maldivian fishing vessel, which was later identified as the Indian coast guard.
The statement did not specify the actions taken by the Indian coast guard on the boats, but it mentioned that two more vessels were boarded. The Maldives military expressed concern about the lack of coordination with relevant authorities and the violation of international laws during this operation.
This incident comes amidst the ongoing tensions between India and the Maldives since the election of a pro-China leader in the Maldives last November. Both India and China have been competing for influence in the strategically significant Maldives, which is situated along a crucial sea route in the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives President, Mohamed Muizzu, had been part of an 'India Out' campaign as an opposition politician and had campaigned for the removal of Indian military personnel stationed in certain islands. Following his election as President, he officially requested India to withdraw its troops from the Maldives.
Contradictory statements have surfaced from both countries with regards to the withdrawal of Indian troops. The Maldives foreign ministry announced that officials from both countries had met in New Delhi and agreed upon a timeframe for the withdrawal, with India beginning the process on March 10 and completing it by May 10. However, the Indian foreign ministry's statement did not mention a withdrawal but instead referred to a set of solutions to continue the operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medevac services to the Maldives.
Currently, there are an estimated 75 Indian military personnel in the Maldives, involved in activities such as transporting patients from remote islands and conducting sea rescue operations.
The strained relations between India and the Maldives were further exacerbated last month when Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, posted pictures of himself strolling and snorkeling on the beaches of the Indian archipelago of Lakshadweep, which bears a striking resemblance to the Maldives islands. This led some in the Maldives to believe that Modi's posts were an attempt to divert tourists from the popular tourist destinations of the Maldives.
In response to Modi's posts, three Maldivian deputy ministers posted derogatory remarks against him on social media. This sparked outrage among many Indians, leading to a social media campaign to boycott the Maldives. India is the largest source of tourists to the Maldives, accounting for 11% of total visitors last year.
The controversial posts were removed, and the deputy ministers were suspended. The Maldives government emphasized that their views did not reflect official government policy.
President Muizzu's visit to China also coincided with this dispute. Upon his return, he announced plans to reduce the Maldives' dependency on India for healthcare, education, and staple imports. He also cautioned against any country bullying the Maldives, implying an indirect reference to India.
As tensions continue to simmer between India and the Maldives, the request for clarification regarding the boarding of fishing vessels adds fuel to the already troubled relationship between the two nations. The outcome of the inquiry will determine the future course of action and the potential impact on their strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.
