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NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday announced that India will replace its military personnel stationed at Maldives air platforms with qualified Indian technical personnel. This decision follows a formal request from the Government of Maldivesled by Mohamed Muizzu, for the withdrawal of Indian troops from Malé.
A second high-level group meeting was held in New Delhi on February 2 to address this request, and a third meeting is planned for later this month. MEA Spokesperson Randir Jaiswal, addressing a weekly press briefing in the national capital, said, “What we had to say, we made it known in the press release. This was done after the second meeting of the high-level core group. the third meeting of the restricted group will take place later.
“I would like to say that the current staff will be replaced by competent Indian technical staff” said Jaiswal.
Following the second meeting, the Maldives Foreign Ministry said India would replace its military personnel on one of Maldives’ three air platforms by March 10, with the full replacement to be finalized by May 10.
The official statement said: “Both sides agreed that the Government of India will replace military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by March 10, 2024 and complete the replacement of military personnel in the other two platforms by May 10, 2024.”
Further, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted in its statement that India and Maldives have agreed on practical solutions to ensure the continued operation of Indian air platforms providing humanitarian and evacuation services medical treatment to the Maldivian people.
“Both sides also agreed on a set of mutually feasible solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian air platforms that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives,” the statement said.
Earlier, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu had urged the Indian government to withdraw the troops before March 15, a campaign promise from Muizzu’s party.
Currently, around 70 Indian troops, along with one Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, are stationed in the Maldives.
Responding to speculation over budgetary allocation to the Maldives in the interim budget 2024-25, Jiswal said Rs 779 crore has been allocated to the Maldives, compared to the earlier projection of Rs 600 crore.
“There are many conflicting ways that people are adopting this budget. I have seen some media reports saying the allocation has increased, others saying it has decreased. A certain amount of money is allocated, then revisions are made, and then is a review phase, during this review phase new proposals are considered,” the MEA spokesperson added.
The spokesperson highlighted India’s commitment as a development partner, saying: “The new figures will also be revised when we have more clarity on what kind of progress is being made.” We remain a committed development partner for the Maldives.
A second high-level group meeting was held in New Delhi on February 2 to address this request, and a third meeting is planned for later this month. MEA Spokesperson Randir Jaiswal, addressing a weekly press briefing in the national capital, said, “What we had to say, we made it known in the press release. This was done after the second meeting of the high-level core group. the third meeting of the restricted group will take place later.
“I would like to say that the current staff will be replaced by competent Indian technical staff” said Jaiswal.
Following the second meeting, the Maldives Foreign Ministry said India would replace its military personnel on one of Maldives’ three air platforms by March 10, with the full replacement to be finalized by May 10.
The official statement said: “Both sides agreed that the Government of India will replace military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by March 10, 2024 and complete the replacement of military personnel in the other two platforms by May 10, 2024.”
Further, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted in its statement that India and Maldives have agreed on practical solutions to ensure the continued operation of Indian air platforms providing humanitarian and evacuation services medical treatment to the Maldivian people.
“Both sides also agreed on a set of mutually feasible solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian air platforms that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives,” the statement said.
Earlier, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu had urged the Indian government to withdraw the troops before March 15, a campaign promise from Muizzu’s party.
Currently, around 70 Indian troops, along with one Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, are stationed in the Maldives.
Responding to speculation over budgetary allocation to the Maldives in the interim budget 2024-25, Jiswal said Rs 779 crore has been allocated to the Maldives, compared to the earlier projection of Rs 600 crore.
“There are many conflicting ways that people are adopting this budget. I have seen some media reports saying the allocation has increased, others saying it has decreased. A certain amount of money is allocated, then revisions are made, and then is a review phase, during this review phase new proposals are considered,” the MEA spokesperson added.
The spokesperson highlighted India’s commitment as a development partner, saying: “The new figures will also be revised when we have more clarity on what kind of progress is being made.” We remain a committed development partner for the Maldives.
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