Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon states that 74 Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives who were expelled under an agreement reached with India were unarmed while in the Maldives.
During the last presidential elections, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had campaigned on the promise of expelling Indian soldiers stationed in Maldives, which he said was a threat to the country’s national security.
Ruling PNC, which had been the opposition during the last MDP administration, alleged thousands of armed Indian soldiers were stationed in the Maldives.
However, President Muizzu, during a record 14-hour long press conference last Saturday, said there were no concerning elements in the military agreements executed with India during the last MDP administration.
Ghassan, while answering questions at the Parliament on Tuesday, revealed that the Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives back then were unarmed during their time in the country.
“None of the Indian soldiers stationed back then were armed,” he said.
Ghassan affirmed that all Indian soldiers based in the Maldives have been expelled under the agreement reached with India. He provided the details of the dates they departed from the Maldives.
12 soldiers from L. Kadhdhoo on May 9, 2024
13 soldiers from L. Kadhdhoo on May 7, 2024
13 soldiers from HDh. Hanimaadhoo on April 9, 2024
12 soldiers from HDh. Hanimaadhoo on April 7, 2024
12 soldiers from S. Gan on March 9, 2024
12 soldiers from S. Gan on March 7, 2024
During his campaign, President Muizzu cited the disclosure of agreements executed with foreign nations as one of the first things he would do upon assuming office. He had described the military agreements executed with India during the last MDP administration as a threat to Maldives’ national security and sovereignty.
President Muizzu asked India to withdraw its troops the day after he took office in November 2023. However, the agreements executed with India have yet to be disclosed.
The current administration was also quick to distance itself from the ‘India Out’ movement, citing it was led by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, despite majority of the senior members of the current administration actively taking part in activities conducted under the movement.
‘India Out’ campaign was initiated by PPM-PNC when they had been the opposition demanding the removal of Indian troops based in the Maldives.
It is partly why relations between the Maldives and India had been strained at the onset of the current administration, which has since, through extensive efforts, fostered closer ties with the neighboring nation.
The current administration’s shift in stance regarding the ‘India Out’ movement has been heavily criticized by MDP and other opposition figures.
In this regard, MDP’s leader Abdulla Shahid has accused the current administration of coming to power by making up completely blatant lies regarding the military agreements executed with India.