The Maldives government has decided against renewing the Hydrography agreement made with the Indian government.
The state’s decision was announced by the Under Secretary of Public Policy of the President’s Office Mohamed Firzul on last Thursday, December 14.
At the press conference held Thursday to extend the progress report of the current administration’s efforts, especially the progress of the objectives under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s “Week-14” roadmap for the first 100-day of his presidency, Firzul said the decision is aligned with the current government’s pledge to terminate all agreements with foreign parties made in detriment to the national security of the Maldives.
Firzul said the agreement with the Indian government was made until June 7, 2024 and that the parties to the agreement should provide notice of intent for cancellation six months prior to the contract’s due.
Failure to notify, voluntarily or non-voluntarily, within the provided timeframe would mean that the agreement would be extended automatically for another five years as per the contract’s stipulations.
“We have now informed the Indian government our wish not to renew the agreement. This decision aligns with the protection of our best held national secrets, which is the knowledge of our territory, its waters and reefs,” Firzul said.
“It is in the best interest of Maldivian sovereignty that this capacity is improved within our own military, entrusting them with the responsibilities of surveilling and policing our waters, and excluding the participation of any foreign party in such an endeavor.”
Maldives’ decision not to renew the agreement is primarily due to its wish to keep the details of the Maldivian waters and its territorial composition confidential within the Maldivian citizens exclusively.
Firzul further emphasized that efforts are now underway to enhance the capacity of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), and train them to be capable of conducting marine research within the Maldivian borders.
The Maldives government launched the hydrographic survey in January 2021 as pat of a collaborative effort with the Indian Hydrographic Office, with the initiative still proceeding under various segments.