Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has stated former President Abdulla Yameen cannot make statements that undermine national security and foreign relations.
At a parliament sitting, Speaker Nasheed refuted the false claims former President Yameen had made regarding the Uthuru Thilafalhu agreement. At an opposition rally, Yameen claimed the agreement undermines Maldivian independence by allowing Indian military vessels to enter Maldivian territory without government permission, and paves the way for military weapons to be brought into the country.
Speaker Nasheed said the Parliament Committee on National Security Services has reviewed the agreement and found that it stipulates all facilities and items in the area, including intellectual property rights and installed equipment, are to be fully owned by the Government of the Maldives. The speaker said the Defence Cooperation Action Plan signed between the Maldives and India stipulates that Uthuru Thilafalhu in Kaafu Atoll, can only be used for maintenance and repair of vessels, conducting training programmes, responding to disasters, and surveillance of the exclusive economic zone. He added that foreign military vessels can only enter Maldivian territory after receiving approval from the Maldivian government.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Defence published a press release in response to the claims made by the opposition. The defence ministry stated Uthuru Thilafalhu is fully owned by the Maldivian government and will only be used by Maldivian military personnel. The ministry stated the Maldives has the right to provide clearance before a foreign military vessel enters Maldivian territory and condemned individuals who have claimed that foreign military vessels can enter without permission.