New Delhi , In a significant development, the Maldives government, led by President Mohamed Muizzu, has decided not to renew the hydrographic survey agreement with India. The pact, signed on June 8, 2019, allowed India to conduct a hydrographic survey of the Maldivian territorial waters, studying reefs, lagoons, coastlines, ocean currents, and tide levels.
This decision comes just a month after President Muizzu requested the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. The hydrography agreement, set to expire on June 7, 2024, is the first bilateral pact terminated by the newly-elected Maldives government.
Mohamed Firuzul Abdul Khaleel, Undersecretary for Public Policy at the Maldives President’s Office, stated that India has been informed of the Maldives government’s decision not to proceed with the agreement. The administration believes enhancing the Maldivian military’s capacity for such surveys is crucial for national security, and future hydrography works will be conducted solely under Maldivian management.
Earlier this month, Muizzu, known for his ‘India-out’ policy, announced the Indian government’s agreement to withdraw soldiers from the Maldives. Discussions on operational details, particularly concerning Indian helicopters and aircraft, are ongoing.
President Muizzu’s decision to terminate the hydrographic survey agreement is seen as another step in reshaping the Maldives’ foreign policy, with a shift away from the ‘India First’ stance.
