Maldives President Muizzu announces the termination of the hydrography agreement with India, marking a departure from the 'India First' policy and emphasizing national security concerns.
In a significant diplomatic development, the Maldivian government, under President Mohamed Muizzu, has chosen not to renew the hydrography agreement with India. This decision, announced by Mohamed Firuzul Abdul Khaleel, Undersecretary for Public Policy at the Maldives President’s Office, marks the first termination of a bilateral pact since President Muizzu took office in November, according to media reports.
The hydrography agreement, initially signed on June 8, 2019, during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Maldives, granted India the authority to conduct hydrographic surveys of Maldivian territorial waters. The surveys encompassed the study and charting of reefs, lagoons, coastlines, ocean currents, and tide levels.
At a press conference, Khaleel stated that the Maldives government, in consideration of national security, has decided not to renew the hydrography agreement, which is set to expire on June 7, 2024. According to the terms of the agreement, either party must inform the other six months before the expiration date if they wish to discontinue the agreement. Failing such notice, the agreement would automatically renew for an additional five years.
Sources in Male confirmed that the Maldives government has conveyed its decision to the Indian High Commission. The Maldives President, Mohamed Muizzu, reportedly made the decision after consulting with his cabinet. The move aligns with the administration's belief that improving the Maldivian military's capacity to conduct such surveys and protecting sensitive information is crucial for national security.
President Muizzu's decision comes in the wake of recent developments, including his request for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. This move, coupled with Muizzu's choice of Turkey as his first foreign destination and ongoing discussions regarding the withdrawal of Indian soldiers, signals a noteworthy shift in the Maldives' geopolitical stance.
Earlier this month, President Muizzu mentioned that the Indian government had agreed to withdraw its soldiers from the Maldives. Discussions on the modalities of this withdrawal, particularly concerning Indian helicopters and aircraft, are reportedly ongoing. The island nation currently hosts two helicopters and an aircraft provided by India to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for emergency medical evacuations and disaster relief operations. There are 77 Indian military personnel in the Maldives to operate these platforms. Muizzu had met Prime Minister Modi in Dubai during the COP28 summit to discuss these matters.
President Muizzu won the Presidential election with a promise to change the Maldives’ 'India First' policy and remove the presence of Indian military personnel.