India sends aircraft and ships to assist water crisis-hit Maldives

Maldives, the Indian Ocean archipelago better known for its pretty-as-picture sunsets and coral islands, has sunk into a severe water crisis after a fire erupted in its only desalination plant. With around 100,000 residents in the capital Male losing access to drinkable tap water, India, a time-tested friend, has sprung into quick action and has sent an IAF transport aircraft and naval vessels carrying a massive consignment of water to bail out the crisis-hit island nation.

Soon after India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj got a call from her Maldivian counterpart Dunya Maumoon on the night of December 4, she literally burnt the midnight oil and got clearances from the prime minister as well as other authorities to ensure that the first aircraft carrying drinking water was in Male on the morning of December 5. The spokesperson of India’s external affairs ministry, Syed Akbaruddin, said that India plans to have five flights carrying 200 tonnes of drinking water December 5 and another five flights on December 6. The spokesperson added that India has also made arrangements for two ships, equipped with reverse osmosis plants, to move to Maldives.

In this hour of crisis of a friendly neigbouring country, India has assured of its unstinted cooperation and support. “Mindful of the strong, friendly and close relations between India and the Maldives, India reacted with alacrity and promptness to the request from the Maldives for timely provision of water,” India’s high commission in Male said in a statement.

“We’ve mounted an enormous effort in our assistance to provide a member of the SAARC and a close partner of India in its hour of need,” said Syed Akbaruddin in New Delhi.

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