Addu City (Maldives), March 27 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday handed over the Coastal Radar System, comprising of 10 radar stations, to the Maldives Defence Forces Chief Maj. Gen. Abdulla Shamaal at a ceremony in Addu City. The 10 Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems, built by state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited based in Bengaluru, are intended to help the Indian Ocean atoll nation safeguard its sovereignty in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – with an obvious eye on intruding Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy’s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) is the nodal agency for maritime data fusion. Jaishankar in a tweet said the coastal radar system is a product of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Navy partnership for regional security, and also a good example of India’s SAGAR – Security and Growth for all in the Region – and Neighbourhood First policies. “Handed over the expanded Coastal Radar System in Maldives to Chief of Defence Force, @CDFofMNDF (Maj Gen Abdulla Shamaal). “Product of MEA-Navy partnership for regional security. “A fine example of our SAGAR and Neighbourhood First policies. A strong statement of our Special Partnership.” The Maldivian Defence Chief in a tweet said the Coastal Surveillance Radar System would boost the Maldivian Defence Forces’ search and rescue capabilities and monitor illegal activities at sea. “Pleased to witness the handing over of the Coastal Surveillance Radar System to @MNDF_Official today by H.E. @DrSJaishankar. “This system will elevate our search & rescue capabilities & monitor illegal activities at sea whereby increasing greater maritime domain awareness.” “Thankful for India’s continued assistance to our defence sector.” The Maldivian Defence Forces said that “10 areas of Maldives have been established with the Coastal Radar Systems by free aid of the Indian Government. These systems are operated by trained personnel of MNDF Coast Guard.” RN