Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the Maldivian delegation has arrived in New, Delhi, India to participate in the second round of deliberations concerning the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that the second round of deliberations of the high level committee of India and Maldives regarding the removal of Indian troops from Maldives will be held in new Delhi today.
The first meeting of the high level committee - formed based on discussions between President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi - was held in Maldives on January 14.
After the conclusion of that first meeting, Maldives' government revealed that the second meeting will be conducted in India.
While the ministry did not disclose the members of the delegation, confirmation has been given that the delegation has arrived in India.
The Maldives was represented by Ambassador at Large Ali Naseer Mohamed, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, Secretary Hala Hameed and Maldives Ambassador to India Ibrahim Shaheeb in the previous committee meeting held in Male'.
At that meeting, the Maldives requested that, in accordance with the President's wishes, Indian troops in Maldives be removed by March 15.
In a statement released after the meeting, the government said the two countries have agreed to fast track the recalling of troops.
However, the statement released by India's External Affairs Ministry said that discussions had been had on continuing humanitarian aid and medevac services through the use of Dornier flights and helicopters given by India.
Public Policy Secretary Abdulla Nazim later clarified that the government's stance had been that civil workers can remain in the Maldives to operate the flights, but any concerned military personnel would have to leave.
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