Indian govt. asked to explain unlawful storming of Maldivian vessels by soldiers

Defense Ministry, on Friday night, said the Ministry, via Foreign Ministry, have requested the Government of India to explain why Indian soldiers, without any prior notice and in violation of laws, boarded Maldivian fishing boats that were fishing in the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Defense Ministry, in a statement on Friday night, said Indian soldiers stormed Maldivian vessels fishing in the Maldives’ EEZ without informing any of the relevant authorities in the Maldives.

The Ministry, stressing that the Indian military’s operation had been carried out in Maldivian waters in violation of international maritime laws and regulations, said the Maldivian government has requested the Indian government to share the details of the operation.

As per the statement, Asuruma-3, a fishing boat from ADh. Mahibadhoo, had been fishing 72 nautical miles northeast of HA. Dhidhdhoo, which falls in Maldives’ EEZ.

Defense Ministry said MNDF’s Coastguard vessel ‘Shaheed Ali’ which was undertaking an operation in MNDF’s northern area command at the time of receiving the report of foreign soldiers boarding the fishing boat had traveled to the area, after confirming the location.

The Ministry emphasized that the safety and the security of the fishermen aboard the vessel were confirmed upon then.

The Ministry said the Indian soldiers boarding an additional two fishing vessels apart from Asuruma-3 had come to their attention upon arriving at the scene only.

As per the Ministry, it was a boarding team of Indian Coastguard ships 246 and 253 that boarded the three fishing boats.

Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU), which initially reported the incident on social media, citing the captain, said four soldiers initially came aboard ‘Asuruma 3’ who were later joined by two additional soldiers.

The union said the soldiers had attempted to obtain the number of the satellite phone used aboard the vessel, adding that the captain, at that time, had acted under the instruction of the Coastguard while on the phone with them.