Maldives-Pakistan Defence Agreements Being Closely Monitored, says India

India has said it is closely monitoring developments following the signing of defence cooperation agreements between the Maldives and Pakistan, while declining to comment directly on the agreements.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a press conference yesterday, in response to a reporter who asked about President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s call to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the 20 agreements signed between the Maldives and Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad.

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“We keep a close watch on all such developments and will take whatever appropriate steps may be necessary,” Jaiswal said. 

Jaiswal said India supported improving connectivity across South Asia but declined to repeat the reasons behind SAARC’s prolonged inactivity or identify the country responsible for the organisation’s current position.

The comments came after Muizzu called for SAARC’s revival during his state visit to Pakistan from 20 to 22 October. He also expressed the Maldives’ readiness to work with member states to convene the next SAARC summit.

The Maldives and Pakistan exchanged 20 memorandums of understanding during the visit, including agreements on defence cooperation and maritime security. The agreements form part of efforts to expand bilateral cooperation as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.

SAARC, established in 1985, comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Its last summit was scheduled to take place in Islamabad in 2016 but was postponed amid regional tensions, leaving the organisation without a subsequent summit