Along with the pilots operating the Dornier helicopters gifted to the Maldives by India, and military doctors in the military hospital, Senahiya Hospital, built under Indian aid, there are currently 89 Indian soldiers in the Maldives.
India’s Navy Chief, Admiral R. Hari Kumar, said on Thursday their Central Government has so far not issued an order to recall the Indian soldiers in Maldives.
It was a presidential pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to withdraw Indian soldiers from the Maldives before March 15 of this year. The Maldives government has announced that they have formally made this request to India, and official discussions are now underway to ensure this happens.
Along with the pilots operating the Dornier helicopters gifted to the Maldives by India, and military doctors in the military hospital, Senahiya Hospital, built under Indian aid, there are currently 89 Indian soldiers in the Maldives.
The military aircrafts in the Maldives is operated by India's Coast Guard. Therefore, when CNN asked about the Maldives' request to withdraw Indian soldiers from the Maldives, Admiral Kumar stated that they have not received any orders on that front so far.
“We await instructions, whatever is the decision," Admiral Kumar said when asked about recalling the soldiers.
Kumar stated that the central government has not communicated with the navy regarding this matter so far.
President Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have initiated discussions within the "High-Level" committee formed to address this matter. Maldives has proposed a date for the recall of soldiers from the island nation. However, the Indian government is yet to provide an official comment on the proposed date.
India's Ministry of External Affairs had previously stated that discussions are ongoing to find a way to withdraw Indian troops from the Maldives without disrupting the operations of helicopters and Dornier aircraft in the country.
Public Policy Secretary at the President's Office, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, said that while military personnel to operate aircraft should leave the country, it is acceptable for Indian civilians to remain in the Maldives for such roles.
Last week, India announced that it would hold the second meeting of the high-level committee to discuss military deployment and bilateral relations. However, no specific date has been provided yet.
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