The Maldives government has asked India to explain why armed Indian personnel entered the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and boarded three fishing boats last week.
A Maldives government official said India has formally been asked to explain why armed Indian personnel entered Maldivian waters and boarded Maldivian fishing boats on Wednesday.
Further details will be announced later, the government said.
In a post on X, the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union wrote that Indian soldiers boarded Asurumaa 3, Niru 7 and Maahoara 3 vessels.
The union on Friday publicized videos showing the Indian military personnel, who appear to be the Indian Coast Guard, on board a Maldivian fishing boat while carrying weapons.
An Indian Coast Guard ship was also seen in the videos.
In a post on X today, the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union wrote that Indian soldiers boarded another Maldivian fishing boat on Thursday.
The Maldives Coast Guard was initially unable to determine the nationality of the foreign troops that boarded the boats.
But on Friday, the Defence Ministry said authorities had identified the Indians involved in the matter. They were members of boarding teams from Indian Coast Guard Ship 246 and Coast Guard Ship 253.
The Indian troops boarded Maldivian boats in violation of international law, the ministry added.
