Mutually workable solutions to continue medevac flights agreed on: India MEA

India's Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the country and Maldives have agreed on ways that the medevac and emergency services being provided by India gifted Dornier flights and helicopters can continue their services in the Maldives.

The announcement was made in a statement released after the conclusion of today's India-Maldives High Level Core Group meeting.

As per the statement, the two countries held deliberations on multiple issues related to bilateral cooperation.

Through these, the ministry states, agreements were reached to expedite the implementation of ongoing development cooperation projects.

"Both sides also agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac services to the people of Maldives," the statement reads.

The High Level Core Group has decided to hold their next meeting in Male' at a future date to be decided on the convenience of both countries.

At the High Level Core Group's first meeting, held in Male' in January, 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 that meeting, the government said the two countries had 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.

The statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs after today's meeting also makes no mention of the removal of Indian troops from Maldives.

The Maldives' Foreign Ministry has not yet made a statement regarding today's meeting.