(Agency) Male, India has got a big relief in Maldives. The government of Mohammad Moizzoo waived the fine of 4.4 lakh Maldivian rupees imposed on the Indian ship Holy Spirit and its operator Antony Jayabalan for releasing the captured Indian ship 'Holy Spirit' in October last year.
Maldives' fine of Rs 4 lakh is equivalent to Rs 1 crore in India. After this decision, the Indian ship has left Maldives for India.
On October 28 last year, the vessel was intercepted by the Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defense Force. Maldives accused the Indian vessel of fishing in its exclusive economic zone.
When the vessel was seized, Maldives was under the government of Ibrahim Soleih. Earlier, the Ministry of Fisheries of Maldives had filed a civil court case to pay the fine. However, when the President's office waived the fine, the ministry has withdrawn its case from the court.
On the other hand, India has said that if the Maldivian pilots need India's help for training, then India will definitely do it. The Ministry of External Affairs said that capacity building is an “important component” of India's defense and security partnership with the Maldives and if New Delhi receives a request from the Maldives to train male pilots.
So “we will consider it and be happy to take it forward. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made this comment during a press conference in response to a question related to a report on issues related to the operation of aviation platforms in the Maldives.