India is cooperating with many countries in IOR on hydrography: MEA on Maldives not renewing pact

The Ministry of External Affairs said that India has been cooperating with several countries in the Indian Ocean Region on hydrography. The reaction came after the Maldives declared not to renew the hydrographic survey agreement made with India.

New Delhi:The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that India has been cooperating with many countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on hydrography. This comes after Maldives announced that it will not renew the hydrographic survey agreement made with India.

According to Maldives based news website, Maldives Under Secretary for Public Policy Mohamed Firuzul said the Maldives Prez and his cabinet have decided not to renew the hydrography agreement between India and that as per the agreement, one party can decide not to renew the current agreement six months before it expires in June 2024.

Pertinent to note that the water survey pact was signed on June 8, 2019, during PM Modi's visit to the Maldives. Reacting to the Maldives government's decision, India's MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "India has a proven track record in the field of hydrography and we have also been cooperating with many countries in the Indian Ocean region on hydrography and various elements related to that. The benefits to partner countries are visible".

Meanwhile, the Maldivian government has conveyed to the Indian government regarding the withdrawal of the country's troops for which both sides have agreed to set up a group about the withdrawal of the troops from the island nation.

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