The number of Indian troops in the Maldives was said to have increased from the 77 soldiers announced on the first day of the new government after including nine Indian doctors at the Senahiya hospital, a top Indian official has said.
Speaking to Adhadhu, the Indian official said the personnel in addition to the number announced by the government was nine military doctors at Senahiya, which brings the total figure up to 86 soldiers.
The medical personnel includes five specialist doctors and four paramedics, Adhadhu has learned.
At the first press conference held by the new administration, President's Office Undersecretary for Public Policy Mohamed Firuzul said a total of 77 Indian soldiers were based in the Maldives to operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft donated by India.
However, after concluding an official trip, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the figure has not been fully confirmed. He said the same during a press conference at the President's Office last week.
"The documents show different numbers at different times, going from 77 to 89, which is not clear either. We do not have clear information yet. The number might be higher," President Muizzu told the press.
But the government has not responded to questions on the issue since then. When journalists repeatedly asked about the number of Indian soldiers during a press conference at the President's Office yesterday, Firuzul said the questions were "off-topic" and declined to answer.
Asked about the inclusion of Senahiya doctors in the official figure, President's Office Communications Minister Ibrahim Khaleel told Adhadhu today that the government was still in the process of clearing up the number of Indian soldiers in the Maldives, including their professions and places of residence.
"The relevant institutions will reveal details. Efforts have been underway since the first day of the government. It will take time to clear up since it was a matter of confusion," he said.
The official figure announced on the first day of the new administration was the number confirmed by then, Khaleel said. Further inquiries and information gathering were underway, he repeated.
Removing the Indian soldiers in the Maldives was a campaign pledge of President Muizzu. In line with the pledge, he asked India's Earth Science Minister Kiran Rijiju to take back the Indian soldiers in the country.
India agreed to take back the soldiers during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the COP-28 summit, President Muizzu said. But the President did not provide further details when questioned by reporters.
Citing government officials, Indian media has reported that the countries have not reached such an agreement to date.
