India has dispatched a warship to the Maldives to conduct a joint surveillance and patrol of the archipelago's Economic Zone, according to Indian media.
The Times of India reported that the frigate INS Sumedha undertook an operational turn-around at capital Male this weekend, which included joint training sessions with officers of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The warship is currently conducting the Economic Zone surveillance, which concludes this Tuesday.
Indian media further reported that two officers and eight sailors from the Indian Navy are stationed at Maafilhafushi, to train local personnel in diving and warfare training.
The Times of India cited Captain D.K. Sharma of the Navy as stating that the operation was "an endeavor of the Indian government and Navy to ensure safety and security of the vast EEZ of the island nation."
MNDF is yet to release an official statement on the matter.
Some media are portraying this development as an indication of a thaw in the recently cool ties between India and the Maldives. Relations appeared to have become strained after India raised concerns over the state of emergency declared in the Maldives in early February in the wake of a top court ruling that ordered the release of nine prominent political prisoners.
The Maldives had later declined India's invitation to participate in its naval conclave in March. The local government had explained that it turned down the invitation over the emergency that was still in effect at the time, as the military's presence in the nation was critical.
The Maldivian government also continued to maintain that bilateral relations with India had not soured, and that the South Asian neighbours' longstanding friendship remained true and strong.
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