The Maldives government "is okay with" bringing non-military employees to replace the Indian troops operating two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the Maldives.
President's Office Public Policy Secretary Abdulla Nazim told a press conference on January 14 that the government "is okay with" civil or non-military employees.
The suggestion was made during the core group meeting of the high-level officials of the two countries at the Foreign Ministry.
"If the military is involved in operating Dornier and such operations, the military people should leave the Maldives and we are ready to welcome civilians to do that job. That's how the discussions are ongoing. It is too early to say what will happen," he told reporters at the President's Office.
Another proposal made by the Maldives government was the removal of 89 Indian troops from Maldives territory by March 15. Discussions were also held on the matter, Nazim said.
The government earlier said that there are currently 50 Indian soldiers in Maldives to fly the helicopters and 25 soldiers to fly the Dornier aircraft. There are also Indian Army doctors at the Senahiya Military Hospital.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said the Indian government was trying to find a way to continue carrying patients and conduct humanitarian assistance through their aviation platforms in Maldives.
The next round of talks between the Maldives and Indian governments will be held in New Delhi. However, neither country has announced a specific date for the meeting.
The two Indian helicopters and Dornier aircraft have not been used since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office.
Muizzu's foreign policy is to eliminate Maldives dependence on India. He had also promised to remove Indian troops from Maldives territory.
