Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon assured Parliament on Monday that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) would not permit any form of espionage against the Maldives.

During his appearance in Parliament, several Members of Parliament raised concerns relating to national security and the integrity of agreements signed with foreign nations. A number of MPs questioned whether such agreements might inadvertently facilitate surveillance activities by foreign powers. One MP specifically inquired whether the Indian-operated helicopter and the vessel Donier, currently stationed in the Maldives, were equipped with espionage apparatus.

In response, the Minister stated that the MNDF had taken measures to ensure that these platforms did not contain surveillance devices. He explained that the military was conducting such inspections to the fullest extent of its capabilities and within the limits of available resources. He emphasised that the MNDF was doing its utmost to verify the absence of such equipment on all relevant platforms.

Another concern raised by a member of Parliament pertained to the bilateral agreement signed in February between the Maldives Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The member questioned whether this agreement could potentially provide a means for foreign actors to spy on the Maldives.

The Minister responded by assuring Parliament that the agreement did not present such a risk. He explained that all scientific activities under this partnership would be conducted in the presence of MNDF personnel. He affirmed that the Defence Force would not permit any component of the project to facilitate espionage. Should any such element be identified, he stated, it would be immediately halted. According to the Minister, no activities of this nature would be allowed to take place in the Maldives without the full and direct supervision of the MNDF.