- Muijju wanted to remove a contingent of Indian army doctors from the Maldives
- The Maldivian army opposed Muijju’s decision
- Muijju eventually had to change his intention to remove the Indian army doctors
Last batch of 13 soldiers returned from Maldives on 9th May. Along with this, all 76 Indian soldiers deployed in India have returned home. A deadline of 10 May was given for the return of soldiers. Maldives government said that now only Indian army doctors are in their country.
Another move against India has come to light from the anti-India and pro-China Mohammed Muiju, who is in power in the Maldives. However, this time Muijju had to retreat after opposition from the Maldivian army. The Maldivian President planned to expel Indian army officers as well as Indian army doctors from the country, but Muijju’s own army opposed it, after which Muijju changed his mind. This insidious plan of Mohammad Muijju has come to light at a time when all the Indian Army officers posted in Maldives have returned. A deadline of May 10 was set for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives.
According to information, the Maldives government has said that all Indian soldiers have left the Maldives except for the soldiers working as doctors in Senahia. The government said a total of 76 Indian Army officers have returned. At a press conference on Saturday, Foreign Minister Musa Zamir said that a total of 76 military personnel have left the Maldives on six separate dates in the last three months.
Indian troops were stationed at three places
76 Indian military officers were present in Maldives to assist in the operation of helicopters and aircraft in Maldives. Out of which 26 soldiers were operating a helicopter in Addu’s Gan Island. 25 soldiers were operating helicopters at Lamu Kadedhu and 25 soldiers were operating Dornier aircraft at Dhal Hanimdhu. India itself gifted these two helicopters and Dornier aircraft to Maldives.
Military doctors stayed at the behest of the army
External Affairs Minister Musa Zamir acknowledged the presence of Indian Army doctors in Maldives and said they have been working at Senahia Military Hospital since September 2012. The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) requested their help. Musa said, ‘If their (military doctors’) presence affects the country’s freedom, the President (may) request the Indian government to remove them, but there is no need for that at the moment.’
Muijju will come to India soon
Foreign Minister Musa Zamir has said that President Dr. Mohammad Muijju will soon be on an official visit to India. During his visit to New Delhi, Musa Zamir said, ‘We had discussed visiting Delhi, but for the convenience of both parties, we thought it would be better to delay it a bit. In fact even today during our discussion with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar we are discussing the President’s visit to Delhi soon. He hoped that this would happen soon.
