The talks focused on expanding bilateral defence cooperation and expediting the implementation of various projects in this regard. These talks are significant as India's relations with the Maldives strained after President Mohamed Muizzu came to power.
Several weeks following the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, the two helicopters donated by New Delhi to the island nation are now being consistently utilized, with an MNDF soldier accompanying each operation.
The Maldivian minister's remarks came days after India completed the withdrawal of 76 military personnel from the archipelago nation. His remarks came as a surprise as officials from the current administration previously claimed that there were capable pilots in the military.
Indian soldiers operating the aviation platforms have been replaced by civilian employees of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), said Maldives' foreign minister Moosa Zameer. India-Maldives ties deteriorated after President Mohamed Muizzu demanded the expulsion of Indian troops.
Maldives' pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu set the deadline of May 10 for the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the country. Muizzu has previously accused India of meddling in the internal affairs of the Maldives, despite it being a crucial maritime neighbour.
Announcing Zameer's visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said it is expected to lend further momentum to the bilateral cooperation.
According to previous announcements by the Maldives government, 88 Indian soldiers were stationed in the country to operate two helicopters, a Dornier aircraft and at the Senahiya military hospital. The two helicopters and the Dronier aircraft were gifted by India.
Muizzu announced the withdrawal of the second Indian military contingent from the Maldives while speaking during a campaign event in Addu city for the ruling People's National Congress party candidates ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 21.
The first batch of around 25 Indian personnel manning a helicopter departed from the island nation ahead of the March 10 deadline. India agreed to replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 after a high-level meeting in February.
A Maldivian Foreign Ministry official, who spoke to Mihaaru News on the condition of anonymity, said India and Male had signed an agreement in February this year but added the details of the same could not be made public.
he pro-China Maldivian leader's remarks came days after the first batch of Indian military personnel operating a helicopter gifted by India left the island nation after Muizzu stepped up his anti-India rhetoric.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said he was not aware of the specifics but added Beijing supports Maldives in safeguarding its sovereignty and working with other countries on the basis of equality".
Maldives' pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu came to power on an election campaign demanding the withdrawal of Indian troops from the island nation. India has agreed to replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10.
"There will be no Indian troops in the country come May 10. Not in uniform and not in civilian clothing. Indian military will not be residing in this country in any form of clothing. I state this with confidence," said Muizzu.
According to the statement released by the Maldivian Defence Ministry on Monday said, "The civilian crew who will operate the helicopter in place of the Indian troops currently stationed in Seenu Gan (Addu city) has arrived in Maldives this evening."
The comments come in the backdrop of a recent controversy triggered by social media posts by a minister and other leaders in the Maldives days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Lakshadweep archipelago.
Abdulla said that the newly elected president of the Maldivian Democratic Party said, "100 days in, it's clear: President Muizzu's claims of 'thousands of Indian military personnel' were just another in a string of lies.
Maldivian President's Mohamed Muizzu claim came days after his foreign ministry claimed that India has agreed to "replace" military personnel in three aviation platforms by May 10. However, New Delhi did not reiterate the same stance.
Maldivian President Muizzu said his top officials conveyed the Indian Government’s assurance to honour and respect the desire of the Maldivian people to abstain from accommodating foreign military presence within the country.
Zameer was appointed as the Maldives Foreign Minister by Muizzu after the latter took oath as the President on November 17 at a ceremony attended by Mahawar and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. He promised External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to work with India on several issues of mutual interest.
Top News
Latest News
