Indian soldiers disguised as civilians to operate helicopters no longer need to be in the Maldives after the introduction of an air ambulance to transport patients from islands in medical emergencies, former President Abdulla Yameen, who instigated the "India Out" campaign, said on Tuesday night, calling on the government to order their removal.
Speaking at a rally of the People's National Front (PNF), a new party that he is attempting to form, Yameen criticized the government's actions in partnership with India, in particular the operation of Indian helicopters in the Maldives.
"The big reason for Indian soldiers having to be here was carrying patients on helicopters. An air ambulance, a plane that lands at sea, has been introduced. So wouldn't the problem of Indian soldiers, if it's the problem of those here to operate helicopters, be solved when you tell them to leave with the helicopters?" Yameen asked.
"It isn't necessary, is it, for soldiers to come as civilians after changing their uniforms and be here to operate helicopters."
The government has started an air ambulance service with a seaplane because it does not want to make use of the helicopters, Yameen noted. The government is also planning to purchase its own helicopter, he added. A Maldivian flight and seaplane are available for a 24-hour air ambulance service.
Therefore, Indian soldiers do not need to be stationed in the Maldives to airlift patients on helicopters, Yameen said, questioning whether President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government could say so to the Indian government.
"Shouldn't the government say right here and now after setting a date for that helicopter and those who operate them to leave? They don't need to be here after taking off the uniform and wearing a shirt," Yameen said.
India has agreed to President Muizzu's request to take back the 89 Indian soldiers based in the country to operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.
After talks between the two countries, it was agreed to replace the soldiers with civilians to operate the aircraft. The first batch of Indian soldiers left the Maldives on March 10 with the last batch due to leave by May 10, according to the government.
India operates two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the Maldives. The first batch of civilian personnel to operate the aircraft in the place of the soldiers has now arrived in the Maldives. They replaced soldiers based in Addu.
Last month, India sent over a new helicopter after taking back for repairs the one used in Addu. The Indian naval vessel that arrived with the new helicopter docked in Addu on February 29.
India has so far maintained on the issue that it has sent technical personnel to the Maldives. When questioned about it, Maldivian government officials said whether they were civilians would be verified. However, how this would be verified has not been revealed yet.
Yameen alleges that soldiers disguised in plain clothes would be operating as civilians. Many people have called India to send civilians as soldiers merely changing uniforms.
The Dornier and helicopters are military aircraft and civilians are not authorized to operate military aircraft anywhere in the world. However, civilian technical personnel are allowed to fly on such aircraft.
