The Indian Navy Ship offshore patrol vessel “ICGS Sankalp” has arrived in the Maldives.
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said ICGS Sankalp arrived to take part in a serial surface surveillance patrol which is a joint operation by MNDF Coastguard and the Indian Navy. MNDF further revealed the ICGS Sankalp will be in the Maldives until November 5 to carry out surface surveillance patrols with MNDF, in the area which falls within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Maldives.
These patrols, which are carried out under a serial surveillance program of specific Maldivian marine regions, started back in 2009, out of which this is reportedly the 71st such cooperative operation between MNDF Coastguard and the Indian Navy. MNDF said the patrols aim to survey the waters in the EEZ for any unlawful maritime activities.