The government has said that there is no Indian military personnel in the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) where the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard is building a port with Indian assistance.
It was earlier reported that Indian troops in Maldives are stationed in Haa Dhaal Hanimaadhoo, Laamu Kadhdhoo, Addu city Gan, UTF and Senahiya hospital. A total of 76 soldiers from Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan have now departed.
Responding to a question from a journalist during a press conference on Saturday, Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon said the government has no intention of removing the Indian soldiers at Senahiya and that there were no Indian military personnel in UTF.
"According to our information, there is no military personnel in the UTF," Ghassan said.
The project to build a port and dockyard in UTF began on May 3, 2023. The project was inaugurated by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and former Maldives Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi.
As India is funding the UTF project, the contract was awarded to Vikas Nigam Limited, an Indian railway company, for USD 186.3 million (MVR 2.8 billion).
