MC Explains: All about the India-Maldives hydrographic survey agreement

The deal was signed in 2019 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the islands, during the regime of former President Ibrahim Solih.

The Maldives has announced that it would not renew its hydrographic survey agreement with India. Under Secretary for Public Policy, Mohamed Firuzul stated that cancelling bilateral and diplomatic agreements with other countries that would jeopardise Maldives' sovereignty was part of the 'Hafthaa-14' agenda.

The new Maldives government has opted not to renew the bilateral agreement, which expires on June 7, 2024, Mohamed Firuzul said at a press conference in Malé on December 14. As per media reports, the agreement suggests that either country can choose not to renew the agreement six months before its expiration in June 2024.

So what exactly is the hydrographic survey agreement? Moneycontrol explains everything about it.

Hydrographic Survey Agreement

The hydrographic survey agreement was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives on June 8, 2019. The agreement allows India to perform a thorough investigation of the island nation's territorial waters, including reefs, lagoons, coastlines, ocean currents, and tidal levels.

MC explains

Hydrographic surveys are conducted by ships, which employ tools such as sonar to study the varied aspects of a body of water. These surveys, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), help "map out water depth, the shape of the seafloor and coastline, the location of possible obstructions, and physical features of water bodies," to ensure the efficiency and safety of maritime traffic.

Also Read: Maldives decides not to renew Hydrographic Survey agreement with India

In September 2019, the Joint Commission on Hydrography had its inaugural meeting in the Maldives. In February and March of 2021, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Darshak conducted the first Joint Hydrographic survey. Three collaborative hydrographic surveys have already been conducted, in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Three collaborative hydrographic surveys have already been conducted, in 2021, 2022, and 2023. An area of 944 square kilometres was effectively surveyed; some of these areas had not been surveyed since 1853. They employed multi-beam echo sounders. The ship was also supposed to conduct tidal measurements in order to make accurate tidal predictions.
The surveys were conducted to provide updated Navigational Charts/Electronic Navigational Charts of the locations, which would benefit industries like as tourism, fishing, agriculture, and so on.

Why does Maldives want to withdraw from the agreement?

The deal was signed in 2019 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the islands, during the regime of former President Ibrahim Solih. Earlier this year, President Mohamed Muizzu's new government demanded that India withdraw its military soldiers stationed in the country. President Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was considered as more pro-India, but his successor Mohamed Muizzu of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) is reportedly seen as more pro-China.