The Parliamentary Committee on National Security Services, also known as the 241 committee, has formed a four-member subcommittee to scrutinise defence agreements inked between the Maldives and India during the previous administration.
The decision was passed at a meeting held by the 241 committee on Monday. Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq initiated the motion, calling for an in-depth investigation into three specific agreements. These agreements were signed during the tenure of the now-opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)-led government.
One of the agreements under scrutiny, which has since been revoked, pertains to conducting hydrography surveys of Maldivian waters. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) had previously advised against this agreement during the Abdulla Yameen administration. However, it was signed under the subsequent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih administration. MP Marzooq called for an investigation into whether the MNDF’s stance on the agreement changed during the previous government’s tenure.
The second agreement under investigation involves the development of a military dockyard for the MNDF in Uthuru Thila Falhu. MP Marzooq has requested an inquiry into how this agreement was reached between India and the Maldives. Additionally, MP Marzooq has called for a probe into the agreement between the Maldives and India regarding the operation of a Dornier military aircraft, a gift from India to the Maldives.
Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim, leader of the government-aligned Jumhooree Party (JP), also submitted a request to the 241 committee to investigate the previous government’s handling of the maritime dispute with Mauritius.
The subcommittee investigating these matters comprises MP Marzooq, Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim, Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, and Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru.
Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem, the chair of the 241 committee, announced at the meeting that relevant government ministries will be summoned for hearings starting this week.
