India is about to start a naval base in Minicoy, Lakshadweep, near Maldives.
This step of India is being seen as a slap on the cheek of the island country located in the Indian Ocean. It is noteworthy that ever since the formation of Mohammed Muizzu’s government in Maldives, friendship with India has started turning sour.
As soon as he became President, Muizzu decided to expel Indian forces from his country to please his master China.
After this announcement, the situation between the two countries kept getting worse. Now that India is going to start a naval base in this strategically important area, this step is definitely going to irritate Maldives.
India’s surveillance will increase
The Indian Navy said in a statement late Saturday night that India is suspicious of China’s growing presence in the Maldives. According to the Navy, due to this new base, India’s surveillance in this area will expand.
The new base, scheduled to open March 6 on India’s Lakshadweep islands, will convert the existing small detachment into an independent naval unit, according to a Navy statement.
It is noteworthy that India’s Lakshadweep is located about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Maldives. Where the new naval base to be built on Minicoy Island is located at the nearest point to Maldives.
The Indian Navy already has a base on Kavaratti island of Lakshadweep but the new base is located about 258 kilometers (160 mi) from the Maldives.
Crackdown on piracy will be tightened
“Minicoy is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep which straddles vital sea lines of communication,” the Navy said.
The Navy said the base will boost anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations and it will create security infrastructure on the strategically important islands.
India called troops before the deadline
Let us tell you that on Thursday, India’s first civilian team of technical experts has reached Maldives to replace the military personnel operating an advanced light helicopter.
Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu had set March 10 as the deadline for the return of the first group of Indian military personnel from his country.
“The first team of technical personnel to operate the advanced light helicopter has reached Maldives,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in his weekly press conference.
It will replace the existing personnel operating the helicopter.