Our Special Correspondent
There is much amiss regarding the agreement titled ‘Development, Support, and the Maintenance of the Maldives National Defence Force Harbour Sifavaru at Uthuru Thila Falhu’ made between the governments of India and the Maldives on February 21, 2021.
Since the agreement was signed , there has been an immediate strong reaction from the opposition, civil social society and gen public against it. It has been termed as selling out the country and serious repercussions on the sovereignty and securing security of the Maldives.
The notion has gone to further reinforce uncertainty in the mind of every Maldivian and their suspicions regarding this agreement. The day agreement was signed Govt and Maldivian Defense Force has been giving contradicting statements about the contents of the agreement and making it public.
Questions have been raised about the legality of the agreement, procedure adopted and constitutional obligations fulfilled for signing this bilateral agreement having International consequences. Moreover the assertion of Maldivian govt for not disclosing any information about the agreement and its debate in the Maldives parliament being threat to its national security has further strengthened the dubiousness nature of the agreement signed between the two countries.
Situation became embarrassing as well as complicated for the Solih Govt when allegedly draft copy of the agreement was published by a local Maldivian newspaper. Govt and MNDF dubbed it as fake however Information Ministry, AG and President Office has refused to answer some basic questions by the same newspaper seeking information about the agreement.
As per the draft UTF agreement it comprises of several clauses that put Maldivian state-sovereignty in grave jeopardy.
Along with Opposition parties PPM and PNC certain Parliamentarian, former civil servant, Diplomats. Judges and military officers has been voicing their concerns on terms and conditions of the agreement and its implications for sovereignty of the country as well as an attempt by the Solih Govt for potential militarisation of country and Indian Ocean by allowing a foreign military base/ presence.
A Member of Maldives Parliament Ali Hussain stated that one foreign military base in Maldives would be a reason used by other countries to establish a military presence in Maldives. He was responding to Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed reportedly stating that a foreign military base in Maldives was a necessity.
In April 2021 President Ibrahim Solih while speaking to media stated that being an agreement of sensitive nature it will be discussed in a parliamentary committee on National Security however to date, the government has done nothing to address the many concerns that have been raised about the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) agreement, except responding with deception.
Recently Ministry of Defence Maldives announced that the disclosure of any information regarding the agreement titled, “Development, Support, and the Maintenance of the Maldives National Defence Force Habour Sifavaru at Uthuru Thila Falhu”, made between the governments of India and the Maldives posed a threat to national security. The Ministry of Defence made the statement at a hearing held by the Information Commissioner’s Office following a request for information lodged by a local newspaper.
Reportedly Interior Minister of Maldives was quoted in local media for avoiding the question posed by opposition MP Saeed regarding discussion of the agreement in the cabinet before or after the signing. MP Saeed Also said that declassification of the UTF agreement posed an embarrassment to the Solih administration and that it would prove that the agreement was unconstitutional. He also pointed out that, as per the Constitution, such agreements should be submitted for approval at the Majlis; and he was certain that the Majlis, which enjoyed a supermajority for the ruling party, would not approve the agreement.
While speaking on the prolonged and persistent denial of the government on non disclosure of information about UTF agreement, former Chief Justice Dr Ahmad Abdulla Didi stated that continued classification of the agreement posed a threat to the best interests of the state. He further said that the UTF agreement was an international, bilateral military agreement, and that the Maldivian Constitution did not permit keeping such agreements classified.
Though the new harbour is being built officially for the use of Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard, it is likely to turn into a strategic asset for India and give it an edge over China, which has been trying to spread its tentacles in the Indian Ocean region. The project is seen as key to India’s and Maldives’s strategic interests, particularly given Beijing’s increasing footprint in the Indian Ocean Region. UTF is An island in a lagoon near the Maldivian capital, having a highly strategic setting. It is well-located to keep an eye on the incoming and outgoing traffic at the main port in Male and has the closest landing strip to the Maldivian capital.
