India will be authorized to market nautical charts derived from the hydrographic survey of the Maldives, the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said.
As part of the People’s Majlis Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) attempts to gather specifics of the military agreements with India, the MNDF and the defense ministry submitted facts regarding the hydrographic survey and Dornier aircraft agreements in a committee meeting on Friday.
Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Amir, the chief director of the MNDF’s Plans, Policy, and Resource Management, stated that the Maldives is compelled to update its nautical charts under international treaties and international maritime regulations.
He stated that the previous administration had solicited India’s assistance in developing such a chart in 2015.
He stated that as part of it, during former President Abdulla Yameen’s visit to India in 2016, the two nations inked a defense action plan, which included the hydrographic study.
According to information given by the MNDF, under the hydrographic survey agreement, India would be permitted to sell the charts generated from the study’s data.
The agreement also says that the Maldives would get 35 percent of the proceeds from charts sold by India, as well as 25 percent in royalties.
Several Majlis members voiced their displeasure with the discovery during the meeting of the 241 Committee on Friday.
Chief of Defense Force Major General Abdulla Shamaal stated that the survey is being performed for navigational purposes, adding that it would be conducted in regions prioritized by the Maldives, and that the Maldives has the authority to limit the survey areas.
