Former Attorney General Dr Munavvar recently raised concerns about hydrography information being shared with the neighbouring country India. He states that such an act may pose a threat to national security.
Dr Munavvar holds a Master’s Degree in Law and specializes in International Law, additionally, he has published numerous books, several of them being used to refer to prominent Universities throughout the world. In response to a question posed by a journalist on the issue of hydrography information being shared, he expressed his concerns about sharing such sensitive information especially when transportation via submarines is on the rise and how it could put the country in danger.
He replied, “Submarines can be used to easily access islands and reefs, and to have hydrography information acquired through surveys shared with another country, puts the Maldives in danger and also makes the country an open book for the world to see”.
He further elaborated on this pressing issue by discussing Mohammed Thakurufaanu and how he saved the nation from Portuguese invaders. According to Dr Munavvar, information about each island, sea routes and how to manoeuvre through sea channels without being detected had played an important role and was an immense advantage that Mohammed Thakurufaanu used to his aid. He declared that to have such information fall into the hands of foreign hands should be a cause for concern.
“We are not sure about the depth of the seas that surround us nor are we aware of the conditions of most islands. However, another country has all the access to information that are rightfully ours and something that we should know.”
He shared past interactions with the Indian Government concerning hydrographic information of the Maldives that was recorded and kept in a hydrographic centre in India and how they denied access to the information upon request. He further states that after a lot of struggle they were able to get the information through an American University. He emphasizes the issue. He urges officials to contemplate the issue.
“National security has been compromised. We cannot rely on just one country for everything. One of the issues that Sri Lanka faced was because India was their primary fuel trader and how the country went into crisis when India ceased to sell fuel to Sri Lanka”, he highlighted, referring to how the Maldives is also now mostly dependent on India.
