Amid Tensions, India And Maldives Agree On 'Mutually Workable Solution' To Operate Aircraft
India on Friday said that a "set of mutually workable solutions" was agreed upon with the Maldives for continuing the operations of Indian aviation platforms in the archipelago, after the government there asked New Delhi to withdraw its troops.
Both sides "agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms" that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
India to withdraw military personnel from Maldives
"Both sides agreed that the government of India will replace the military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms by March 10, and will complete replacing military personnel in the other two platforms by May 10," the Maldivian foreign ministry said.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu had called for a withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the country by March 15.
Indian troops in Maldives
At present, around 80 Indian military personnel are in the Maldives primarily to operate two helicopters and an aircraft that have carried out hundreds of medical evacuations and humanitarian missions.
The Indian platforms have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years.
Maldivian President Muizzu who came into power in November had asked India to withdraw its troops from the island, a day after assuming office.
India-Maldives relations
The relations between the two neighbours have strained considerably ever since, especially after the provocative comments made by some Maldivian politicians over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep.
This uncalled-for provocation led to a massive backlash in India with Indians, who accounted for the largest share of foreign tourists in the Maldives boycotting and cancelling their trips to the island.
India cuts aid to Maldives in Budget 2024
In the interim budget, India also announced a 22 per cent reduction in financial aid to Maldives.
India had allotted Rs 400 crore in aid to Maldives in the previous budget, but it was later increased to Rs 770 crore.
In the interim budget presented on Thursday, the aid to Maldives was cut down by Rs 170 crore to 600 crores.
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