“Our government has not permitted Chinese vessel for research in Maldivian waters”: Maldives FM

New Delhi: Emphasising that "peace and security" of the Indian Ocean is important for countries in the neighbourhood including India, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer on Thursday said that his government has "not permitted the Chinese vessel" for research purposes in the Maldivian waters.

The statement by the Maldivian Foreign Minister came in the wake of the Chinese marine research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 returning to Maldivian waters, marking its second visit to the archipelago nation within two months.

"The peace and security of the Indian Ocean is important for both India and Maldives and Sri Lanka and the rest of the countries that we have in the neighbourhood. So, we will continue to work together as I said earlier," he said.

Elaborating on the port call for Chinese vessels, he said, "Our government issued personal rotation and friendly portable permits, and diplomatic clearances came from the Chinese side, which is very common in Maldives."

"So that's how it has happened we as a peaceful country, welcome those vessels which come for peaceful purposes. But they didn't come for research in the Maldivian waters, we have not permitted the Chinese vessel for research in the Maldivian waters," Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer said while maintaining that research vessels are not welcome in the Maldivian waters.

On April 27, Chinese marine research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 returned to Maldivian waters, marking its second visit to the archipelago nation within two months after Pro-China Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's ruling People's National Congress (PNC) won the Parliamentary elections, as reported by Adhadhu news on Friday.

It is pertinent to note that Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon last month told the Maldivian Parliament that the Chinese vessel would not conduct any research despite sailing inside and near Maldivian waters."

There was no permission given to conduct any research in the Maldives territory. After docking in Male' and buying food, they did a crew change. People who came on an airplane went board the boat and those on the boat left via the airplane. That was the permission that was given," Adhadhu quoted Ghassan as saying on March 25.

Relations between India and the Maldives have strained since President Muizzu took office in November, shifting the government's focus towards China and requesting the withdrawal of nearly 80 Indian troops stationed in the Maldives, according to Reuters report.

 

[Shafted mohammed]

Maldives is great resort and Chinese research vessel crew comes for recreation to Maldives. What a lame excuse , do you think anyone would believe your bullshit,

 

[NSR]

Lies, more lies, and blatant lies to get debt relief and cheap food exports and services.
Never, ever, forever trust these Jehadis of Maldives as they just beat two Indian tourists in the middle of a city.

 

[ramdas]

The current Maldivian regime is based on India out campaign and is a lapdog of the Chinese. Muizzu has abundantly made clear his anti India policies. But they want trading relationships and revenue from Indian tourists.
Indias foreign policy is meek and timid. Despite so much of hostiles from the present regime GOI has not leveraged its might to show Maldives it's place and is keen on encouraging trading relationships

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Yeah right .
They want Indian freebies while serving our enemy.

 

[Shiva]

Good to receive clarity from the Maldivian Govt.
It was appearing before that, Maldivia trying to act as an agent to China to spy Indian activities and Indian research projects.

At the same time, it does not mean, China will obey Maldivian Govt restrictions will not do any research activities unofficially and Maldivian Govt will not keep quiet even when it known unofficially that Chinese ship is involved in its reserach activities. After all, Chinese vessel can switch ON / OFF whenever it wanted to from satellite communication channels to start or stop its reserach activities. So, it is virtually impossible for Maldivian Govt stopping China from doing its research.

These statements are a way for Indian Government to leverage the positiveness shown by anti Indian attitude leader in transforming himself from being anti Indian as He understood importance India and its cooperation for its economy