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COLOMBO:
Australia’s defence minister announced Monday the gifting of a naval patrol boat to the Maldives to “maintain regional security”, during a visit to the strategically-located Indian Ocean archipelago.
Global east-west shipping lanes pass the nation’s chain of 1,192 tiny coral islands, stretching around 800 kilometres (500 miles) across the equator.
Australia is part of the Quad grouping — alongside the United States, Japan and India — seen as a bolster against China’s growing presence in the wider Indian Ocean.
“In line with our national defence strategy, Australia is working with partners across the Northeast Indian Ocean to maintain regional security and stability”, Richard Marles said in Male.
“As Indian Ocean countries, Australia and the Maldives share a vision of our region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous,” Marles said in a statement following talks with his counterpart, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon.
The 39.5-metre long (129-foot) Guardian-class boat, a type of craft which Australia uses to patrol Pacific island nations, possesses a 3,000 nautical mile range, and can accommodate 23 people.
The promised craft is under construction and would be ready by next year.
Australia is also providing hydrographic equipment to help the Maldives map its ocean floor, to increase maritime safety and unlock economic development, Marles said.
Better known as a luxury holiday destination with pristine white sand beaches and secluded resorts, the Maldives has also become a geopolitical hotspot.
Neighbouring India and China have jostled for influence in Male, whose pro-Beijing president came to power in 2023 on a promise to evict dozens of Indian troops based there. AFP
