Indian authorities have decided to release the Maldivian fishing vessel that was caught trespassing in its territorial waters.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this via a statement on Monday.
Noting that the ministry had worked to free the vessel “Ambaree” and its crew members, it said that Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid was informed of India’s decision on Monday afternoon.
The ministry further stressed that trespassing in another country’s territorial waters in “against laws,” and urged those relevant from paying special heed to this.
Prior to the statement, Minister Shahid tweeted that he had been informed of India’s decision to release the vessel and called against other nations’ territorial waters.
The Maldivian fishing vessel was detained by the Indian Coastguard on Saturday, three miles outside of Minicoy island.
The fisheries ministry noted that such actions could lead to vessels being blacklisted by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), adding that a Maldivian vessel “has never been on this list.”
