President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday night responded to criticism directed towards the government about Indian soldiers in plain clothes replacing uniformed military personnel in the Maldives.
The 88 Indian military personnel based in the Maldives to date include soldiers who operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft donated by India as well as doctors at the Senahiya military hospital. During the presidential election campaign, Muizzu pledged to remove the soldiers from the Maldives.
In order to fulfill the pledge, the government agreed with India to bring civilians to operate the aircraft after sending back the soldiers. People who criticized the agreement alleged that Indian soldiers in "plain clothes" would come in the guise of civilians.
Speaking at a rally held in Baa Eydhafushi last night during a campaign trip in the name of an official visit, the President said the effort to send back Indian soldiers has been successful. He then repeated the schedule previously announced for the withdrawal of Indian troops, which was for one batch to leave on March 10 with the next batch to leave before May 10.
"Now because we are able to do this as well, liars have a habit of lying. 'They're not leaving, they're changing uniforms and coming in plain clothes.' Creating doubt in our hearts like this and spreading lies is not something we should allow," the President said.
He urged the public to accept "the reality you can see in front of your eyes" and assured that his statements reflect government actions and policy.
"So everything I say is how it was decided and being done. So come May 10, God willing, Indian soldiers won't be in the Maldives. Whether it's in uniform or plain clothes or not, Indian soldiers [or] soldiers of any country won't be in this country," the President said.
The first group of civilians to operate the aircraft in the place of Indian soldiers arrived in the Maldives on February 26. However, the Defense Ministry has not yet revealed the number of civilian personnel.
