The Maldivian defence force will have operational authority over the helicopter given by India to the island nation and the civilian crew that will pilot it, it said on Thursday.
Further, discussions for withdrawing Indian troops from the Maldives were underway, the country’s authorities confirmed.
Speaking at a press conference, the Principal Director of Plans, Policy, and Resources Management for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Colonel Ahmed Mujuthaba Mohamed, said President Mohamed Muizzu has decided not to permit any foreign troops to remain stationed in the Maldives beyond May 10.
Last week, India said its first civilian team of technical experts had reached the Maldives to replace the military personnel operating an advanced light helicopter in the island nation.
Following a second meeting of the high-level core group that was set up to address the issue of the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said India will replace all its military personnel in two phases by May 10.
India’s ties with the Maldives came under stress as Muizzu, seen as a pro-China leader, maintained after assuming charge as the President in November that he would keep his election promise of expelling all Indian military personnel from his country.
Muizzu had set March 10 as the deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from his country.
His government this week signed a deal with China’s military under which Beijing will supply “non-lethal” weapons to the Maldives free of cost. Local media quoted President Muizzu as saying that the non-lethal weaponry would include tear gas and pepper spray.
Colonel Mujthaba also said that the Indian helicopter stationed in Addu City is currently undergoing repairs, and in its place, 26 civilians have arrived in the Maldives with a replacement helicopter.
He noted that the familiarisation process is in progress and said the Indian troops will depart from the Maldives as planned. He also said the MNDF would have operational authority over the Indian civilians and vehicles associated with the helicopter.
According to the Maldivian government, 88 Indian military personnel were in the Maldives primarily to operate two helicopters and an aircraft that have carried out hundreds of medical evacuations and humanitarian missions.
The Indian aviation platforms have provided humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the Maldivians for the last few years.