India has not yet responded to a request by the Maldives government to explain why the Indian Coast Guard entered the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and boarded several fishing boats last week.
On Friday, a Maldives government official said India has been asked to explain why armed members of the Indian Coast Guard entered Maldivian waters and boarded Maldivian fishing boats in the north of the Maldives.
In a statement, the Defence Ministry said the request was made through the Foreign Ministry. The Indian Coast Guard boarded Maldivian boats in violation of international law, the ministry added.
A government official told Adhadhu on Sunday that the Indian government has not yet responded.
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.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) 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 group involved in the matter. They were members of boarding teams from Indian Coast Guard Ship 246 and Coast Guard Ship 253.
