The Indian government has revealed that two helicopters and military aircraft are now in operation in the Maldives at the request of President Mohamed Muizzu's administration.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a news conference in Male' that the agreements to operate the helicopters and Dornier jet were renewed and in use as requested by the Maldives government.
Speaking in parliament in May, Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon did not respond to questions about the renewal of agreements to operate the helicopters and aircraft.
“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.
The government suspended operating the helicopters and the aircraft and in May 2024, Ghassan said the government's vision was to provide services to Maldivians through Maldivians.
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.
