Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon has refuted President Dr. Mohamed's remarks that all the "worrying aspects" in the military agreements with other countries had been revised.
Ghassan appeared in the People's Majlis on Tuesday morning. He told MPs that the government was still working to amend the "worrying aspects" in the military agreements.
“Those agreements, just as the honourable MP mentioned now, have been and are still being amended in a manner that does not harm the sovereignty and independence of the Maldives," he said.
Ghassan said around 100 agreements have been signed between India and the Maldives since 1965, but the Defence Ministry is responsible for only four agreements.
At a press conference on May 3, Muizzu told reporters that the most concerning agreement had been cancelled, while "worrying aspects" of the remaining agreements had been solved.
"Bilateral discussions are ongoing. There are no issues. However, we are trying to disclose through the bilateral discussions since I made a pledge. There are no concerns," he said.
But Muizzu refused to disclose details of the changes and which agreements were altered. He claimed that Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham had advised him to keep the details confidential.
At Tuesday's parliament session, Ghassan also told MPs that details cannot be disclosed because some of the clauses in the agreements require the information to be kept confidential.
However, before coming to power, the People's National Congress (PNC) expressed concerns over the agreements signed with other countries, especially India, by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government.
Muizzu and senior PNC officials have previously said that these agreements will affect the Maldives' sovereignty. After the PNC came to power, the parliament began studying the hydrography agreement, the Uthuru Thila Falgu agreement and the military aircraft agreement.
Indian military aircraft operating under the previous agreement
Ghassan also told MPs that the helicopter donated by India to the Maldives is still being operated under the agreement signed in 2010. This agreement was signed during the government of former President Mohamed Nasheed.
“The agreement you referred to was signed on May 4, 2010,” Ghassan said in response to a question from Maradhoo MP Ahmed Didi.
Three Indian military aircraft are in the Maldives to provide humanitarian assistance - a helicopter and two Dornier aircraft. Indian uniformed soldiers were stationed in the Maldives to operate them.
However, Muizzu sent the soldiers home and replaced them with civilian employees from an Indian Defence Ministry company. The government claims that the presidential pledge has been fulfilled because uniformed soldiers are no longer in the Maldives.
No confirmation of spy devices on the aircraft
Ghassan further said that the government has not been able to confirm whether the military aircraft have spy devices installed on them.
Responding to a question from Hulhumale' South MP Ahmed Shamhee, the defence minister said efforts were still underway to ensure that aircraft had no spy devices.
“We are ensuring that those platforms do not have any kind of espionage apparatus to the fullest extent of the capabilities of the National Defence Force," he said.
No direct answer to whether govt would renew agreements
When asked whether the government would renew the agreement to operate the military aircraft, Ghassan said this government would not do anything that would undermine the Maldives' independence.
“Protecting the independence and sovereignty of the country is the top priority of the President and the government has no intention of doing anything that would undermine it,” he said.
Ghassan did not directly answer the question, but on January 8, the government held talks with India on renewing the agreements.
According to Indian newspapers, the extension of the agreements was discussed during an official meeting between Ghassan and his counterpart Rajnath Singh during Ghassan's visit to India.
The agreement to station Indian soldiers to operate the aircraft in Laamu Kadhdhoo and Seenu Gan ended in February 2025, while the agreement for Haa Dhaal Hanimaadhoo will end in February 2026.
"We know the details of foreign spy agents"
Ghassan further said the government was in possession of the details of foreign spy agents active in the Maldives.
"The Defence Intelligence Service is aware of the details of such people working in the Maldives. We are monitoring their activities. Revealing their names is not something we do because of the nature of this work."
