Male. A day after the newly elected President of Maldives Mohammed Muizzu took oath, India’s representative Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju met him. Where President Muizzu made a formal request (Demand ) to the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from Maldives. The Office of the President of Maldives said that President Muizzu acknowledged the major role of the two helicopters in carrying out several medical emergency rescue missions. The Government of India has confirmed that when Minister Rijiju met, President Muizzu raised the issue of Indian military personnel being present in the Maldives for medical services and air operations to combat drug trafficking.
Indian government sources said it was agreed that the two governments would discuss practical solutions for continued cooperation through the use of these platforms. Because it serves the interests of the people of Maldives. Sources said that President Muizzu acknowledged the contribution of these Indian helicopters and planes in providing medical help to the citizens of Maldives. They also agree that international tourists stay on remote islands. He appreciated their role in monitoring and combating drug trafficking.
Official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, while answering questions on Maldives on October 18 last month, had said that in the last five years, our personnel have taken more than 500 people to the hospital in medical emergency. Due to which the lives of 523 Maldivians have been saved. Similarly, during the last five years, more than 450 multi-dimensional missions have been conducted to protect the maritime security of Maldives. Of these, 122 missions were conducted last year, while 152 and 124 missions were conducted in 2021 and 2020 respectively. India has been the first to provide help to Maldives in case of any disaster, including the recent Covid pandemic.
It is noteworthy that Muizzu’s opposition alliance has come to power riding on the ‘India Out’ campaign. He defeated President Abu Solih, who was considered friendly to India. Newly elected President Muizzoo is seen as the proxy of former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen. Who has been pro-China during his tenure between 2013 and 2018.