India denies allegation that helicopter was operated without MNDF approval

India has denied allegations by Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon that Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives operated one of the two helicopters gifted to the Maldives without authorization from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

Ghassan made the allegations during a press conference on May 11 at the President's Office to announce the removal of Indian military personnel. He alleged that the helicopter landed in Thaa Thimarafushi without authorization from the MNDF.

In a statement today, the Indian High Commission denied the allegations and said the helicopter operation was "undertaken with the approval of MNDF."

"The specific sortie on 9 October 2019 referred to at the press conference was also undertaken with the approval of MNDF. The emergency landing at Thimarafushi was necessitated due to an unforeseen exigency, which was carried out after taking necessary on-ground approvals from the ATC to ensure the safety and security of the platform and crew," the statement read.

It also stated that "Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated as per agreed procedures and with due authorization from MNDF."

Ghassan made the allegations following a question from a journalist after he claimed that Indian soldiers were removed to ensure the control of MNDF over the aircraft. The journalist wanted to clarify whether MNDF did not have control previously.

"During the last five years I worked in Parliament, the 241 committee looked into the operation of a helicopter without the permission of the Maldivian people. A helicopter was operated without permission from Maldivians. That was an incident where the helicopter landed in Thimarafushi," Ghassan said.

At the press conference, Chief of Defense Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy said that was the only such incident.

The two helicopters and Dornier aircraft, which were previously operated by the Indian military personnel, are now operated by technicians from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a state-owned company under the direct control of the Indian Army.