Maldives will not renew agreement for joint hydrographic survey with India

Subject: IR

Section: India’s neighbours

Context:

The Maldives cabinet has decided against renewing a 2019 MoU with India for hydrographic surveying.
India had “agreed” to Maldivian demand that Indian troops be withdrawn from the Indian Ocean Island nation.
Maldives considers it is an infringement on Maldivian sovereignty.

Details:

So far, three joint hydrographic surveys have been undertaken – in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Darshak carried out the first Joint Hydrographic survey in February and March of 2021, second by INS Sutlej and third by INS Investigator.

Hydrographic surveys:

Following the 2019 agreement, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Indian Navy have carried out three joint hydrographic surveys.
Hydrographic surveys are carried out by ships, which use methods such as sonar to understand the various features of a water body.
These surveys help “map out water depth, the shape of the seafloor and coastline, the location of possible obstructions, and physical features of water bodies”, to ensure the efficiency and safety of maritime transportation.
The surveys will generate updated navigational charts/electronic navigational charts that would enhance the navigational safety of ships and enhance the Blue Economy of Maldives.

Does India have such water survey pacts with other countries as well?

In 2021, India’s oldest Hydrographic Survey ship, INS Sandhayak, was decommissioned.
It undertook more than 200 major hydrographic surveys along the Western and Eastern coasts of the Indian peninsula, and the Andaman Sea, as well as surveys in neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
A UN study says that approximately 50 per cent of coastal states have no hydrographic capability and another 25 per cent have only limited capabilities. Only the remaining 25 per cent, including India, have adequate hydrographic capabilities.