India soldiers boarded local vessels over 'miscommunication': Minister

Minister of Defense Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon on Monday has said Indian military boarded local fishing vessels while operating at the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) due to a miscommunication.

Earlier on January 31st, Indian soldiers boarded three local vessels that were operating in the EEZ. The soldiers had boarded one of these vessels a second time on the following day as well.

Ghassan was summoned to the parliament on Monday to inquire the latest about the case.

Speaking at the parliament, the minister said Indian official channels have confirmed its soldiers boarded the vessels arising from miscommunication, which Ghassan said can be verified.

"Official channels confirm they boarded due to miscommunication," Ghassan said, noting details of India's maritime operations on the day were not informed to Maldives military because of this.

Reportedly, the Indian soldiers had boarded the vessels since the fishers were using satellite phones, according to the minister.

"According to information provided by the teams that boarded the vessels, they wanted to confirm presence of satellite communication devices, which Indian military claimed was a violation," Ghassan said.

"But the violation is within Indian borders, but permissible in the Maldives."

The soldiers boarded the vessels near Maldives EEZ, and had deleted photos and videos of their conduct captured by the local fishers on the vessels, which the minister confirmed.

All three vessels were operating within the Maldivian borders, Ghassan assured.