Indian Navy deploys maritime surveillance aircraft in Maldives

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Oct 19, IRNA -- The Indian Navy has deployed a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft in Maldives for carrying out anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean Region.

The aircraft is being sent from the Kochi-based Indian Naval Air Squadron 550 and will be stationed at Male for three weeks to keep a watch over the Exclusive Economic Zone of that country, Navy officials said here today.

The deployment of Indian surveillance aircraft in Maldives comes days after Defence Minister A K Antony said that the Navy was mandated to be a net security provider for island nations in the Indian Ocean Region.

Earlier this year, during Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed's visit here, the two countries had discussed ways to intensify anti-piracy cooperation and decided to scale up bilateral trade and investment.

India has also deployed a Dornier aircraft along with a few choppers in the Seychelles to carry out the fight against sea pirates, who have been operating far away from the coast of Somalia.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30620533