By IANS,
New Delhi : In a sign of goodwill and close ties between India and the Maldives, the Indian Navy has rescued a Maldivian boat with four people on board which had gone missing four days ago.
“Rankuri, a 95-feet-long Maldivian mechanical boat, with four personnel on board, reported missing at sea off the southern coast of Maldives since September 17 was rescued by Indian Navy warship INS Shardul yesterday (Thursday),” the navy said in a release.
INS Shardul was despatched to locate the missing vessel on Sep 19 after a request from the Maldivian authorities, the Navy said.
The Indian Navy ship is deployed close to Maldives to provide EEZ surveillance off Maldives.
“The missing boat, estimated to be around 200 nautical miles south of Male, was located after an intensive search operation using the ship’s helicopter. The boat’s safe return to Maldives was ensured by providing the boat with necessary technical assistance,” the Navy said.
During the recent talks between the defence ministers of India and the Maldives in Male, the two countries decided to expand maritime cooperation.