Former President Abdulla Yameen has raised questions over the Maldives military's participation in a joint exercise with the Indian military at a time when the government has given a deadline to withdraw Indian military personnel from the Maldives.
Speaking at a gathering of his People's National Front (PNF) in the party office last night, Yameen said removing soldiers stationed in the Maldives is not something India would want to do willingly. That is because India has "interests" in Maldives, he said.
"So how can we involve the Maldives in this Dosti program led by the Indian military when we are saying that you should leave by this date?" Yameen questioned former police commissioner Hussain Waheed, who is running for parliament with his support.
Former President Abdulla Yameen. -- Photo: Abdulla Iyan/ Adhadhu
Replying to the question, Hussain Waheed said that the Dosti exercise had been conducted between India and Maldives for a long time.
“That was when we were friends,” Yameen responded.
Hussain Waheed said Maldives is continuing to participate in the exercise because we are still friends with India. He added that he did not think the exercise was wrong.
"I believe that this exercise is undoubtedly important for the Maldives military. I do not question the merits of this exercise. That is not my question. The government opposed the presence of Indian troops here, gave deadlines to remove them and the President continued to make announcements to give assurances to the people. While this is ongoing, why would India want such a Dosti program to be carried out here?" Yameen asked.
The government earlier said that India had agreed to replace military personnel with "technical" civilians to operate the Dornier aircraft and two helicopters in Maldives. This will be done by May 10.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the first group of soldiers will leave by March 10.
In addition to the Coast Guards of Maldives, India and Sri Lanka, observers from Bangladesh will also take part in the Dosti exercise, according to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
The Dosti exercises are joint naval training exercises carried out by the three countries to ensure Indian Ocean safety and security. Since the inception of the program in 1991, the exercise program has been conducted every two years.
