The Indian PM assures the President that its Government will extend relief assistance to the Maldives in the wake of the unprecedented sea swells experienced in many parts of the Maldives
Reference Number: 2007-285
The President has thanked the Indian Government for its role in ensuring the success of the operation to apprehend the intruding armed foreign vessel. He expressed his appreciation in a telephone conversation tonight with the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
The President emphasised that the Indian Navy had promptly dispatched an aircraft to the area, following a request by the Government of Maldives for aerial reconnaissance support to ensure that there were no other vessels in the vicinity that were collaborating with the intruding vessel carrying the arms and ammunition in the proximity. He also highlighted that India, as a special friend and neighbour, had extended timely support and assistance to the Maldives in every hour of national need in the country.
Dr. Manmohan Singh assured the President that the Maldives could always count on the support and assistance of India in times of need and as a key development partner, and emphasised that his Government viewed it as their responsibility to extend a helping hand to the Maldives in every such national emergency in the country.
During the conversation, the President also briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the environmental emergency facing the Maldives at the moment. He briefed the Indian Prime Minister on the effects of the unprecedented sea swells that are being experienced in many parts of the country. The President said that the sea swells began on the 15th of this month, and that extensive flooding on some islands had prompted the Government to relocate many people to safer areas. He noted that the flooding had damaged many homes and personal possessions, as well as vegetation and crops on many islands. He added that sea swells were reported on many islands even today, and that many people were living in a state of fear and apprehension.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his deep concern on hearing of the sea swells, and extended deep sympathy to the friendly people of the Maldives at this time of distress. The Indian Prime Minister assured the President that its Government will extend assistance to the Maldives at this time of need.