India releases Maldivian fishermen held off Minicoy coast

Indian authorities have released the crew of a Maldivian fishing boat which was intercepted by the country’s Coastguard from three miles off the coast on Minicoy on Saturday.

The Maldivian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement confirming that India informed Maldives of its decision to release the boat, Anbaree, and its crew this Monday.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the decision had followed negotiations between the Foreign Ministry and the Indian External Affairs Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry, in its statement, stressed that local fishermen are prohibited from fishing outside of Maldivian territorial waters, and appealed to boat operators and fishermen to adhere to the law.

The fishing boat, Anbaree, is registered to Sh. Komandoo and was travelling with approximately 10 fishermen when it was intercepted by the Indian Coastguard.