Ministry of Defence has identified the foreign troops who boarded the local vessels who were in the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as being members of the Boarding Teams of Indian Coastguard Ship 246 and Indian Coastguard Ship 253.
Ministry of Defence has identified the foreign troops who boarded the local vessels who were in the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as being members of the Boarding Teams of Indian Coastguard Ship 246 and Indian Coastguard Ship 253.
As per a statement released by the Ministry tonight, Maldives National Defence Force immediately rerouted their coastguard vessel 'Shaheed Ali' to attend to the matter as soon as reports were received of a foreign military boarding a local fishing vessel, Asuruma 3.
On receiving the report, MNDF moved to ascertain the specific location of Asuruma 3.
"As soon as confirmation was received, the MNDF Coastguard vessel Shaheed Ali - which was in the northern area on a different assignment - was retasked on the orders of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The President [Dr Mohamed Muizzu]," the statement read.
Ministry of Defence stated that on reaching the fishing vessel, MNDF ensured the safety and protection of the fishermen, crew and vessel.
Upon arriving at the location, MNDF learned that the Indian Coastguard had boarded two more local fishing vessels, Niru 7 and Maahoara 3.
The force confirmed that the foreign troops who boarded the vessels are members of the Boarding Teams of Indian Coastguard Ship 246 and Indian Coastguard Ship 253.
The Ministry stated that the government has officially requested the Government of India 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.
The Defence Ministry's statement ended with calling on local fishermen to continue steadfastly with their work, assuring that MNDF will continue ceaseless efforts to ensure the protection and safety of the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone.
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