The Maldives has rejected an invitation to take part in the eight-day Milan Multilateral Naval Exercise starting March 6 off the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The apparent rebuff comes against the backdrop of political turmoil in the island nation and strained relations with India after New Delhi criticised imposition of Emergency there.
“The Maldives was invited to join the Milan exercise but they have declined,” said Navy chief Admiral Sunil lanba, adding, “They (the Maldives) have not given any reason.”
The Indian Navy hosts the prestigious exercise every two years to foster closer maritime ties with countries in the immediate neighbourhood. Sixteen countries will take part in this year’s exercise. The first such mega event was held in 1995.
In a statement, Maldives Ambassador to India Ahmed Mohamed said, “I would like to clarify that the Maldives is unable to participate in the naval exercise during this time due to the current circumstances of a State of Emergency being in effect for those under investigation for serious crimes. During such a time, security personnel are expected to be at a heightened stance of readiness. Also the participation of Maldives Naval Officers would have been as observers only.”
He stressed that both the countries enjoy a long history of excellent Defence and military co-operation and “it is a tradition that we are confident that it will endure and continue indefinitely”.
India provides training to Maldives military personnel on a regular basis. India has also gifted them a fast patrol boat, two Dhruv helicopters, and a Dornier medium range reconnaissance aircraft. The two helicopters are jointly piloted by the Indian Navy and Maldives navy pilots, while the Coast Guard flies the Dornier to secure the Maldivian waters and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
India has also set up two coastal radars there to monitor activities along the Maldivian coast. The radars are linked with the coastal radar chain of mainland India to enhance maritime domain awareness.
Relations between the two countries worsened after Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared Emergency on February 5 following an order by the country’s Supreme Court to release a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. On February 21, India had reacted strongly over the extension of emergency by a month.
As regards the Milan exercise, officials said it is taking place in the backdrop of China’s growing military posturing in the Indo-Pacific region and the issue is likely to figure during deliberations at the event. China’s military manoeuvres in the South China Sea may figure during discussions among Navy chiefs of the participating countries at the exercise.
Asked about the presence of Chinese ships in the Indo-Pacific region, an official said, the deployment of ships by China’s Navy has been since 2008. At any point of time, there are six to eight ships in the region.
“We monitor them and know what is happening,” he said adding “there is no cause for concern, it is standard deployment in the Indian Ocean.”