India today handed over 2000 litres of pollution dispersant to Maldives after recent incidents of oil spills in the waters of the island nation.
In a function on-board Indian Coast Guard Ship 'Samar', Indian Ambassador to Maldives Akhilesh Mishra handed over 2000 litres of environment friendly pollution dispersant to Chief of Defence Force, Maldives National Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam.
The need for this step was felt after recent incidents of oil spills which could have threatened the pristine waters of Maldives whose economy majorly relies on fishing and tourism.
The pollution dispersant was specially sent to the island nation by the Indian Coast Guard. This ready stock will be transported across the Maldives by MNDF and help in responding to oil spills swiftly.
Minister of State for Defence Mohamed Zuhair, Vice Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Ahmed Shahid and Commandant of Maldives Coast Guard Colonel Mohamed Ibrahim, along with Indian Coast Guard and MNDF personnel were present at the event.
Indian Coast Guard carries out regular Dornier sorties over the island nation to look out for suspicious movements or vessels and even for transporting patients. Maldives is a critical cog in India's maritime strategy.
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