Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, on Sunday, guaranteed that the government maintained complete control of both helicopters donated to Maldives by the Indian government.
During an interview to local media outlet Mihaaru, the foreign minister stated that the previous administration's rhetoric regarding the helicopters was misleading and contradictory.
Minister Shahid highlighted that the government of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had renewed the agreement despite its criticisms. Several top government officials claimed that the agreement allowed India to influence Maldives.
Yameen's government had ordered India to take back the helicopters amidst strained relations between the two neighbouring nations.
Minister Shahid also reiterated statements made by the Ministry of Defence, which guarantee that they had complete control of the helicopter operations.
The Foreign Minister also highlighted that a large proportion of Maldivian territory consisted of seas while the land area was comparatively smaller. He reasoned that maritime security was crucial to the country, especially considering its dependence on the tourism industry.
Minister Shahid stated that countries in the region had reached an agreement to maintain security in the Indian Ocean by dealing with threats such as illegal gun trades and pirates.
According to the Minister, maintaining close bilateral ties with India was crucial to Maldives considering the globalised nature of international relations which make it difficult for any nation to be completely self-sufficient.
The agreement was originally signed between India and Maldives in 2010 during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed and was renewed by the next two presidents. The two helicopters are based in Seenu Atoll's Gan and Laamu Atoll’s Kahdhoo.
According to the agreement, the helicopters would be managed and operated by the Indian military. Several Indian soldiers are stationed for this purpose under a letter of exchange between the Maldives and India which must be renewed every two years.
Due to reservations about the helicopters being operated by Indian soldiers, Yameen’s government suggested involving local soldiers as mentioned in the agreement. As of yet, no local soldiers have been trained to pilot the helicopters.
Yameen's administration also proposed to transfer both helicopters to Kahdhoo where local forces have a major wing. The Indian government has not yet agreed to these proposals.
According to the Ministry, the two helicopters have been utilized to airlift 151 patients and in 50 search and rescue operations.
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