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India on Saturday donated a second naval Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Dhruv, to the Maldives in a gesture that was described by Maldivian Minister for Defence Mohamed Nazim as “paving the way for further strengthening of ties between both countries.”

A brand new, Mark-III (the latest) variant of the India-made multi-role helicopter in Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) colours was unveiled at a simple ceremony attended by Mr. Nazim, Vice-Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of India’s Southern Naval Command, and MNDF Brigadier General Ali Zuhair besides senior formations from both sides, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and representatives of the helicopter manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, at naval air station Garuda in Kochi.

Cordial relation

On the last leg of his India visit, Mr. Nazim said the Maldives maintained a friendly and cordial relation with its neighbours, especially India, which stood by the nation whenever it needed support. Defence cooperation between both countries grew drastically over the past few years with Indian armed forces, particularly the Navy, contributing greatly to MNDF’s capacity-building. He said the ‘gift’ would help the island nation’s Coast Guard carry out search and rescue and medical evacuation from its far-flung territories.

Vice-Admiral Soni said India shared long-standing ties with Maldives. While Indian Navy trained MNDF personnel and despatched its ships and aircraft to patrol the Maldivian exclusive economic zone, the Maldives contributed to security in the Indian Ocean region by enhanced surveillance and anti-piracy patrol. The nation also actively participated in forums such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and the biennial exercise Milan.

Vice-Admiral Soni told the media later that provisioning the ALH, the face of India’s aviation industry, was indicative of the importance India attached to its relationship with the island nation. While the ALH already in operation with the Maldivian Coast Guard was based at the southern Maldivian island of Addu, the more advanced, second helicopter — which also sports a weather radar— would operate from the northern Hannimadhoo Island, primarily on medical evacuation duty. The helicopter would be initially manned and maintained by an all-Indian crew.

Maldives top priority

The Maldives topped India’s priority alongside Bangladesh, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Defence cooperation between both countries was set for further growth, he said. As many as 16 MNDF personnel were presently undergoing training at India’s Southern Naval Command, the Indian Navy’s Training Command.

(The Indian Navy has trained MNDF personnel since 1988. Maldivian defence personnel subscribe to at least 35 courses every year)

T. Suvarna Raju, Director (Design and Development) of HAL, said the Mark-III variant of the indigenous chopper sported a digital cockpit and was capable of performing several roles.

India backed its diplomacy with naval muscle to resolve the crisis that broke out last month when Maldivian opposition leader Mohammed Nasheed sought refuge in the Indian high commission. While New Delhi was negotiating an understanding with Male that would allow the former president to leave the high commission, seven Indian Navy guided missile destroyers and frigates were exercising just outside Maldivian waters. Days earlier, an Indian Navy fast-attack craft had entered the territorial waters, apparently to conduct joint exercises with the coast guard there. Present Indian policy to the Maldives has sought to ensure the country holds free and fair elections later this year. The attempt by the Male government to arrest Nasheed was seen as a threat to that goal.

A naval exercise, ‘TROPEX-2013’, involving 50 ships and submarines, 2,000 troops and tanks on India’s western seaboard was originally scheduled for the eastern seaboard. It was shifted to the western coast in January as New Delhi’s concerns about developments in Male began to increase.

The political situation in the island nation reached breaking point soon after the exercise began. It concluded on March 1 after a full 30 days with all warships returning to harbour. Nasheed fled to the mission on February 13 and left 10 days later. He was arrested on March 5 and let off the next day.

During this time, seven ships — including Delhi class destroyers with the western navy fleet commander on board and Talwar and Shivalik class frigates — exercised outside Maldivian waters. Senior defence ministry sources said none of the big warships entered the country’s territorial limits.

In another coincidence, a day before Nasheed sought refuge at the mission, an Indian Navy fast-attack craft, Kalpeni, entered Maldivian waters, apparently to conduct joint exercises with the coast guard there for the next five days. It stayed an extra three days at the Male harbour. 

Government sources say India has no intention of interfering in Maldivian politics. But New Delhi is determined that President Mohammed Waheed should hold early free and fair elections to prevent further instability in the region — which has 16 political parties for a population of just 300,000 and straddles some of India’s most vital sea lanes.