Indian ship deployed to undertake surveillance

New Delhi, May 11: An Indian Navy ship has been deployed to undertake joint surveillance of exclusive economic zone ( EEZ) of Maldives, seen as a move to improve bilateral relationship between the two countries which nose- dived after imposition of emergency in the island nation.

The Indian Navy said its ship Sumedha, a Naval offshore patrol vessel, has been deployed to undertake the joint surveillance of EEZ of Maldives from May 9 to 17.

It “is an endeavour of the government of India and the Indian Navy to ensure the safety and security of the vast EEZ of the island nation,” the Navy said.

It said the deployment has been made under its new “mission- based deployments”, a new plan for deployment of warships in the Indian Ocean region. In February, Maldives had declined India’s invitation to participate in the eight- day mega Naval exercise — Milan — from March 6- 13. Ties between India and Maldives nose- dived after Maldivian 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.

The Navy said INS Sumedha would undertake an Operational Turnaround ( OTR) at Male from May 11 to 12 during which Navy personnel on board the ship would impart training to Maldives’ personnel.