Former Home Minister Umar Naseer has said he hoped the Indian military personnel would be withdrawn from the Maldives under the current administration but the government of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has been brought to its knees.
Speaking on Adhadhu's Etherefuh program, Umar said every Maldivian government begins "dancing to the drums of India" and that is why no Maldivian leader dares to expel Indian troops from the Maldives.
"This government, I most hoped, might do that. But six months later it's on its knees," said Umar, who also contested in last year's presidential election as an independent candidate.
"Maldives needs a leader, not a manager, to fix this," he added.
Not fulfilling pledges
Umar, who previously worked in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) accused the government of President Muizzu of lying about the withdrawal of Indian troops.
“Because... you cannot operate an Indian military aircraft unless you have undergone military oath and military training, not even a lorry,” he said.
"It's a rule. You have to be sworn in, you have to be trained. You can be in uniform or not," he added.
Umar said the personnel in Maldives now are also paid by the Indian Ministry of Defence and have been trained and sworn in as soldiers. Umar stressed that they are Indian military personnel despite being in civilian clothes.
Umar added that even if we believe that Indian troops have been withdrawn, President Muizzu's pledge is not fulfilled properly.
"It is not enough to withdraw the Indian soldiers. The Indian military should be withdrawn. The pledge was made to remove the Indian military. The government must not spin this pledge," he said.
President Muizzu said during his presidential election campaign that he would ensure the withdrawal of Indian soldiers, send back the helicopters and Dornier aircraft and disclose the agreements with India. However, after taking office, the tone changed and the government finally decided to replace the soldiers with civilians.
The Indian troops in Maldives to fly the helicopter and aircraft were sent home by May 10, 2024, and were replaced, according to India, by capable technical personnel. However, the Maldives government says they are civilians.
India operates aircraft for military purposes
Umar said Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon's statement that the two Indian helicopters and Dornier aircraft in Maldives are not used for military purposes is a lie.
"The Defense Minister is saying that the Maldives government is not requesting such a mission to search for missing people or to carry someone who is sick. That may be true," Umar said.
"But flights for Indian military purposes are still ongoing."
Umar said the operations are ongoing to monitor the Russian and Chinese activities in the vicinity of Maldives.
He said it would be difficult to strengthen India-Maldives relations under this government because all the top officials were people who protested with India Out on their chests and walked around with statues of Modi.
Umar said "it is good" that the government is working to establish close ties with India.
He said that the Maldives must always view Sri Lanka and India as our closest neighbours and any discontent should be settled through talks.
He added that relations with China should be maintained at a level that does not offend India.
The government is trying to seek financial assistance from India as it has not received financial assistance from any other country. Finance Minister Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq has said that efforts were underway to convert bonds bought from India into grants.
