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No plans for military base in Maldives: US

7 May 2013 06:39 am - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Washington: The US clarified that it was not planning to establish a military base in the Maldives in response to concerns being raised in both India and Sri Lanka about such a move.

A top official of the Obama administration said that the US was not planning to have a military base or permanent boots on the ground in Maldives.

The official also said that the US had consulted India on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) that it is currently negotiating with Maldives and which could be signed soon.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake, said, “We do not have any plans to have a military presence in Maldives.”

He explained that the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was an effort to provide a framework to the ongoing joint military exercises that the US has with Maldives.

Blake said, "I want to reassure everybody that this SOFA does not imply some new uptick in military co-operation or certainly does not apply any new military presence. It would just be to support our ongoing activities. I would like to reassure all our friends in India, what it is and what it isn't. We have status of forces agreements with more than 100 nations around the world. And these are basically agreements we have with partners where we have significant military activities, typically exercises.'

"We always try to be transparent with India about everything that we are doing in South Asia. But certainly on Maldives, we always wanted to be transparent on our military activities," Blake added.

According to an unverified draft copy of the SOFA agreement, Maldives would provide US forces with ship bunkering, access to sea ports and other facilities in the Indian Ocean. (Source: manoramaonline)

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  Comments - 25

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  • janaka Tuesday, 07 May 2013 10:11 AM

    This why they change government in Maldives. This will be direct threat to India & Sri lanka.

    shahan Wednesday, 08 May 2013 02:50 AM

    sure

    shahan Wednesday, 08 May 2013 02:50 AM

    you may not know this, India is a great allie of the USA. they are frinds so they dont fear each other.

    Sarath Wednesday, 08 May 2013 02:48 AM

    Thanks Mr.Champika Ranawaka. Because of you the US backed off. They will not even venture into the Indian ocean here after because of you. Hats off Champika.

    shahan Wednesday, 08 May 2013 02:30 AM

    china around the corner? where? does china has a base near here?

    shahan Wednesday, 08 May 2013 02:29 AM

    ME? what did yankees did to you?

    MayIwin Silva Wednesday, 08 May 2013 01:16 AM

    Now I am afraid if North Korea will direct one or two Taepodong missiles towards Maldives, which the final range is Sri Lanka.

    One time unp Tuesday, 07 May 2013 12:56 PM

    Please take note China,Blake will try his best harass Chines shipping and dead scared of war good Sri Lanka

    Sonali De Silva Tuesday, 07 May 2013 11:40 AM

    I guess the diaspora can he of immense help.

    ravi Tuesday, 07 May 2013 11:39 AM

    we need US ..

    CHOGM Tuesday, 07 May 2013 11:22 AM

    USA cant afford anymore bases and they are bankcrupt since 2008.

    CW Tuesday, 07 May 2013 10:29 AM

    Have you kept any of your promises, Mr Blake?

    kondebendapucheena Tuesday, 07 May 2013 07:16 AM

    Hey YOU GOT Diego Garciea what else you need dude

    Nims Tuesday, 07 May 2013 09:55 AM

    Why do we need US or the West to control us. They were the people who taught all drity things to our guys.

    Nims Tuesday, 07 May 2013 09:52 AM

    US can never counter balance with China. US got almost 20 trillion (if not more) debts.

    Nodrog Tuesday, 07 May 2013 09:42 AM

    Bloody yanks...so insecure and the root cause of most of the conflicts and deaths in every region. They've messed up the ME and now trying their larks in the sub-continent

    Suq Madique Tuesday, 07 May 2013 09:33 AM

    What about the US expansion in Asia?Would they like it if China opened bases close to their region?

    Suq Madique Tuesday, 07 May 2013 09:31 AM

    What uncle Sam says and does are two different things. Never trust the Americans.

    Seriously Tuesday, 07 May 2013 08:56 AM

    I think they should - this will keep our guys in tact and in some kind of control...

    Asarana Simion Tuesday, 07 May 2013 08:22 AM

    Well now what does our war mongers have to say. Our we winning or loosing end of the day. Win or loose the US is at our door step.

    raviraj Tuesday, 07 May 2013 08:18 AM

    of course need to counter balance China's growing expansion

    Jan Chandra Tuesday, 07 May 2013 07:56 AM

    War mongers at it again

    Sonali De Silva Tuesday, 07 May 2013 07:37 AM

    With China around the corner they will not be allowed. Not that they don't want one. Given half the chance they will pounce on it. So the Maldives and we don't have to worry.

    willows Tuesday, 07 May 2013 07:21 AM

    coming color is no good??


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