NEW DELHI: In what could possibly be another flashpoint in the deteriorating diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives, the China-leaning Mohamed Muizzu government has officially asked for clarification from New Delhi on why Indian Coast Guard personnel boarded three Maldivian fishing vessels operating within its exclusive economic zone earlier this week without consultation.
New Delhi has so far not responded to the allegations.
As per a statement released by the Maldivian defence ministry, the foreign troops who boarded the local vessels were “members of the boarding teams of Indian Coastguard Ship 246 and Indian Coastguard Ship 253”.
Several videos posted by a Maldivian fishing union show troops in black uniforms boarding a vessel. In one of the videos, Indian Coast Guard ships can also be seen. However, the authenticity of the videos has not been verified by any independent agency.

“The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) immediately rerouted their coastguard vessel ‘Shaheed Ali’ after reports were received of a foreign military boarding a local fishing vessel, Asuruma 3 … Upon arriving at the location, the MNDF learned that the Indian Coast Guard had boarded two more local fishing vessels, Niru 7 and Maahoara 3,” the ministry said in its statement.

The Maldivian defence ministry added that the foreign ministry had on February 1 officially requested New Delhi to provide details of their “justification for Indian military personnel to have boarded and conducted an operation on, without any coordination with any Maldivian authorities and against the Law of the Sea Convention, a number of Maldivian vessels engaged in fishing in the country’s own EEZ”.

Bilateral ties at all-time low
This is the latest in a series of conflicts that has led to a setback in relations between the two nations since pro-China leader Mohamed Muizzu was elected in the Maldives last November.
Both India and China have been vying for influence in the Maldives, which is located strategically along a key sea route, in their competition to control the Indian Ocean.

Muizzu was part of an “India Out” campaign as an opposition politician, demanding the removal of Indian military personnel stationed in some islands. Muizzu campaigned for the presidency on the same promise and made an official request to India soon after his election.
The dispute worsened when PM Modi posted pictures on social media of himself on the beaches of Lakshadweep.
Three Maldivian deputy ministers posted derogatory posts against PM Modi which inflamed Indians, leading to a social media campaign to boycott Maldives. The largest number of tourists visiting the Maldives come from India, making up 11% of the total last year.

Muizzu’s China visit also coincided with the dispute, and he came back announcing plans to rid his nation of dependence on India for health and education and import of staples. He also cautioned that the Maldives’ smaller size did not give any country the license to bully it, an apparent indirect reference to India.
The Maldives foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday that officials from both counties have met in New Delhi and agreed that India would begin withdrawing troops from the Maldives on March 10 and complete the process by withdrawing from all three aviation platforms by May 10.
It is said there are at least 75 Indian military personnel in the Maldives and their known activities include transporting patients from remote islands and rescuing people at sea.
(With inputs from agencies)