Indian Military Crew Departs Maldives As Civilian Takeover Begins: Reports

In a report by the Maldivian media on Monday, it was stated that the first group of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives, who were operating a helicopter gifted by India, have departed from the island nation.

The operations of the helicopter have now been handed over to an Indian civilian crew. A media official for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) confirmed that approximately 25 Indian soldiers stationed in Addu city have returned to India, allowing the Indian civilian crew to take over the helicopter's operations.

Indian Military Crew Departs Maldives

There has been no immediate confirmation from India's defence ministry regarding the withdrawal of the first batch of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, as reported by the local media. The MNDF official further confirmed that the Indian military troops left the country by the agreed schedule, preceding March 10. Going forward, the helicopters will be operated by civilian experts from India, who have been transferred to the Maldives for this purpose, as reported by PTI.

Additionally, the official mentioned that the remaining Indian military personnel stationed elsewhere in the Maldives will also depart on schedule by May 10. President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has reiterated that no Indian military personnel, even those in civilian attire, will be present in the country after May 10.

Muizzu's statement was reported by local media last week, emphasizing a stance perceived as pro-China. After a high-level meeting between the two countries in New Delhi on February 2, the Maldivian foreign ministry announced that India would replace its military personnel operating aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10, with the first phase of the process completed by March 10.

India had agreed to withdraw its troops from the Maldives under the condition that several civilians equivalent to the military presence would be brought in to operate the aircraft. This decision came after Muizzu's government took an anti-India stance and allowed a Chinese 'research ship' to dock at Male, among other developments, as per PTI reports.

The first group of Indian civilian personnel arrived on February 26 to replace the military personnel operating a helicopter in Addu city. India also sent a new helicopter and transported the old helicopter used in Addu city for repairs. President Muizzu had requested India to withdraw 89 military personnel from the Maldives, to which India agreed by replacing them with civilians and continuing the operations of two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft for humanitarian and medical evacuation services.