Maldives Colonel Mujthaba also said that the Indian helicopter stationed in Addu City is currently undergoing repairs, and in its place, 26 civilians have arrived in the Maldives with a replacement helicopter.
Muizzu said that the Maldives Ministry of Defence is making efforts to obtain the facilities required for conducting the hydrographic surveys by the country itself.
The relations between New Delhi and Male have been strained since President Mohamed Muizzu came to power in the Maldives. Muizzu has set a deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel to leave the island nation by March 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.
China signed an agreement with the Maldives to provide free military assistance to build stronger bilateral ties. This comes after relations between India and the Maldives remain strained following President Mohamed Muizzu's demand for the withdrawal of Indian troops.
The Indian Navy said it is bolstering forces on "strategically important" islands close to the Maldives. The new base will be opened on March 6 on Lakshadweep islands. It said it would turn an existing small detachment into an "independent naval unit".
The Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 docked on February 23 in Thilafushi, about 7.5 km to the west of Male despite India's concerns over alleged surveillance. The China-friendly Maldives government said the ship won't conduct any research in Maldivian waters.
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.
Sources within the Navy have expressed apprehension over the presence of the Chinese vessel, highlighting the potential ramifications of seabed mapping activities in the strategically significant Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
A law was enacted in December 2021 allowing the termination of businesses if a foreigner earns profits directly or indirectly under various names. The Maldivian Home Ministry was working on shutting down illegal businesses and deporting the foreigners who operate them.
After seven lawmakers resigned from Parliament last year to assume positions in Muizzu’s administration, the opposition MDP amended standing orders so less votes are needed to impeach the President. The Attorney General’s Office filed on January 28 to suspend the amendment.
India and the Maldives on a "set of mutually workable solutions" to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platform in the archipelago nation during a high-level meeting earlier this month. Maldives' pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu had long called for the withdrawal of Indian troops.
The IMF also said that without changing policies, Maldives remains at highly vulnerable to climate change risks with high levels of fiscal deficits and public debts. Muizzu's mentor and former President Abdullah Yameen also borrowed heavily from China that drove the country in a debt crisis.
Muizzu on Monday said the first group of Indian military personnel will be sent back from the Maldives before March 10 and the remaining before May 10. India has around 80 military personnel there to operate two advanced light helicopters and an aircraft to carry out humanitarian missions.
Countries looking to attract Indian travellers are exploring varied strategies by expanding routes and providing customised on-ground hospitality and affordable packages.
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.
According to the statement released by the Maldivian Defence Ministry, its military was informed on Wednesday that personnel from a foreign military had boarded a Maldives fishing vessel, and on reaching the location it was found that they were from the Indian coast guard.
Maldives President Muizzu had earlier called for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island country by March 15. India has around 80 Indian military personnel in the Maldives to operate two advanced light helicopters and an aircraft to carry out several humanitarian missions.
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