SAARC meet: Navy deploys warships near Maldives

Indian Navy has deployed its warships around Maldives to provide security to the ongoing South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit in the island nation.

"We have deployed our warships around Maldives to provide security to the SAARC summit," Navy officials said in New Delhi.

However, they refused to divulge details about the number and type of warships deployed around the island nation, adding that the Indian Navy was not 'in-charge' of security arrangements there.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with the leaders of seven other member countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan is taking part in the summit.

During the SAARC Summit in Colombo in 2008, the Navy had deployed three warships along with helicopters to provide security to the meeting.

The Indian Navy has also been providing security to the Maldives in its anti-piracy operations.

India recently deployed a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft in Male and has been sending a warship or a naval plane to perform security roles for Maldives in the last two years, with Somali pirates becoming active close to island nation.

It has also gifted a fast attack craft to the Maldivian maritime forces.

An Indian Navy ship also carries out hydrography surveys in Maldivian waters to aid navigation. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has also set up a chain of coastal radars for the island nation, apart from training its personnel in operating the equipment.