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Maldives kicks off hydrographic survey with India

Shahudha Mohamed
31 January 2021, MVT 17:57
Press conference held by Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) on commencing a hydrographic survey with the Indian navy. PHOTO: MIHAARU
Shahudha Mohamed
31 January 2021, MVT 17:57

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), on Sunday, commenced a hydrographic survey of the country in a collaborative effort with the Indian Naval Hydrographic Office.

The survey, aiming to map out the physical features of the islands, reefs, sandbanks and lagoons of the island nation, will continue till March 15.

By the end of this survey, a large scale chart featuring details of the northern Kulhudhuffushi in Haa Dhaalu Atoll will be mapped out, in addition to a medium scale chart which will map out a larger area with less details.

Indian Navy's eighth hydrographic survey ship to have been indigenously designed and constructed, Darshak, has now arrived in Maldives to take part in the survey.

In a press conference held by MNDF, Coastguard Commandant Colonel Mohamed Saleem stated that the lack of an updated chart posed great challenges in operating in Maldivian waters.

"Because there is no updated chart, there are many challenges, in the legal aspect, for example, in case of an accident", he said.

According to him, the charts produced from the survey will contain information required for navigation purposes as well.

Prior to this, in 2007 and 2009, similar surveys were conducted to map out the areas around capital Male' and southern Addu Atoll, as well as all the international ports of Maldives.

Speaking at the press conference, Foreign Ministry's Joint Secretary Midhfa Naeem stated that providing assistance for the survey was part of the agreements signed between Maldives and India during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the island nation in 2019.

"Discussions took place on redrawing charts that have been declared faulty by the state, and conducting the collection of required information with India's technical expertise", she said.

When questioned whether the survey may pose a threat to national security, MNDF confirmed that there was no such threat and affirmed that the efforts to map out the hydrography of Maldives will most benefit local travelers and navigators.

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