India said on Friday it had agreed on “mutually workable solutions” with the Maldives for operating three aircraft in the Indian Ocean archipelago, with all Indian military personnel who fly and maintain the platforms expected to be withdrawn by May.
India And Maldives Operate Meeting
Following the second meeting of the high-level core group set up by India and the Maldives to address the issue of the military personnel, the external affairs ministry said the solutions worked out by the two sides would “enable continued operation of aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medevac services to the people of Maldives”.
Statement Issued By External Ministry
A statement issued by the external affairs ministry was silent on the issue of withdrawing the military personnel. The details provided by the Maldives showed that the solutions reflected a compromise on Muizzu’s demand that it should withdraw all its military personnel from the Maldives by March 15.
About The Deal
Country provided the three aircraft to the Maldives to carry our search and rescue operations, provide humanitarian assistance and conduct surveillance of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The aircraft, though operated by personnel, were under the direct control of the Maldives National Defence Force and carried out more than 600 medical evacuations and humanitarian missions that saved scores of lives.