MALE, Maldives — The Maldives authorities says it has requested for clarification of why Indian coast guard personnel boarded three Maldivian fishing vessels working inside its financial zone earlier this week with out session.

The Maldives protection ministry stated in an announcement Friday night time that its navy was knowledgeable on Wednesday that personnel from a overseas navy had boarded a Maldives fishing vessel, and on reaching the situation it was discovered that they have been from the Indian coast guard.

The Maldives navy additionally discovered that Indian coast guard personnel had boarded two extra boats, the assertion stated with out explaining what they did on the boats.

“On Feb. 1, 2024 , the foreign ministry of the Maldives has asked (India) officially for the details of the operation that was carried out while Maldivians were fishing in the Maldivian exclusive economic zone, without any coordination with the relevant authorities and against all international laws,” the assertion stated within the native Dhivehi language.

This is the newest in a collection of conflicts that has led to a setback in relations between the 2 nations since a pro-China chief was elected within the Maldives final November.

Both India and China have been vying for affect within the Maldives, which is positioned strategically alongside a key sea route, of their competitors to manage the Indian Ocean.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was a part of an “India Out” marketing campaign as an opposition politician, demanding the elimination of Indian navy personnel stationed in some islands. He campaigned for the presidency on the identical promise and made an official request to India quickly after his election.

On Friday contradictory statements emerged from the 2 international locations in relation to the withdrawal of Indian troops.

The Maldives overseas ministry stated in an announcement that officers from each international locations met in New Delhi and agreed that India would start withdrawing troops from the Maldives on March 10 and full the method by withdrawing from all three aviation platforms by May 10.

But an Indian overseas ministry assertion didn’t point out a withdrawal, saying as an alternative that each side agreed on a set of options “to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medevac services to the people of Maldives.”

It is believed there are at the least 75 Indian navy personnel within the Maldives and their recognized actions embody transporting sufferers from distant islands and rescuing individuals at sea.

The dispute between the 2 international locations worsened final month when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted photos on social media of himself strolling and snorkelling on the seashores of Lakshadweep, an Indian archipelago that appears practically similar to the Maldives islands.

The Indian authorities believes that its chain of islands has untapped potential for tourism, and a few within the Maldives thought that Modi’s posts have been a manner of luring vacationers away from the well-known white sand seashores and luxurious island resorts of the Maldives.

Three Maldivian deputy ministers posted derogatory posts towards Modi which infected many Indians, resulting in a social media marketing campaign to boycott Maldives. The largest variety of vacationers visiting the Maldives come from India, making up 11% of the full final 12 months.

The posts have been taken down, the deputy ministers have been suspended and the Maldives authorities pressured that the views expressed didn’t replicate authorities coverage.

Muizzu’s China go to additionally coincided with the dispute, and he got here again asserting plans to rid his nation of dependence on India for well being and schooling and import of staples. He additionally cautioned that the Maldives’ smaller measurement didn’t give any nation the license to bully it, an obvious oblique reference to India.