The Maldives’ recent decision to terminate an agreement with India for joint hydrographic surveys has been the subject of some controversy in the Indian media. Signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the islands in 2019, the pact was seen as a symbol of India-Maldives defence ties. Malé’s move came a few weeks after the island state formally asked New Delhi to withdraw its Indian military presence from its shores. As if to emphasise its reservations about defence engagement with India, Malé also skipped the latest meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave in December 2023.