Defence Ministry says the leaked Uthurufalhu agreement going viral on social media today is a fake document as the supposed agreement revealed alarming facts about the deal between the two countries.
In a statement today, the Ministry said that the leaked document had come to its attention earlier today and informed that these documents were fake.
The Ministry urged all to be mindful of safeguarding national security and the interest of the country's people when disseminating information and to also be considerate of the relationships between the Maldives and other countries.
It also urged against spreading false information that jeopardizes the unity and harmony within the country and called all to act to protect these aspects.
The Defence Ministry ended the curt statement by saying that the Maldives National Defense Force MNDF would not allow any party to harm the national security and sovereignty of the country.
The supposed agreement was leaked on social media by former Home Minister Umar Naseer.
The agreement now labeled as 'fake' by the government gives unhindered access to the UTF for the personnel of the government of India or of its contractors positioned for design, construction, development of facilities; the management, administration, and maintenance of such Facilities as well providing training as provided for under the agreement.
The UTF agreement that tasks India to help build a harbor and a coast guard dockyard was signed by Defense Minister Maria Ahmed Didi on behalf of the Maldives and by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar before concluding his two-day trip to the Maldives last month.
