India troops in Maldives unarmed, Maldives minister says
Ghassan said that the Indian military presence had been limited to 75 personnel deployed across four locations in the Maldives.
Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon told Parliament on Tuesday that Indian military personnel previously stationed in the Maldives did not carry weapons and have now been withdrawn.
Speaking in response to questions raised by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Hussain Ziyad, Minister Ghassan said that the Indian military presence had been limited to 75 personnel deployed across four locations in the Maldives.
Ziyad questioned the Minister on the number of Indian troops stationed in the Maldives under the previous administration, the status of their withdrawal, and whether they were armed.
“The Indian military personnel who were stationed in the Maldives were unarmed,” Ghassan said. “They have now been withdrawn as part of ongoing cooperation between the two governments.”
The Minister stated that the personnel had been operating in HDh. Hanimaadhoo, K. Kadhdhoo, and Addu Gan. He provided the following breakdown of the withdrawals:
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25 personnel from Hanimaadhoo, with the final group departing on 9 April last year
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25 personnel from Kadhdhoo, with the final group departing on 9 May last year
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25 personnel from Gan, with the final group departing on 9 March last year
“All Indian troops have now been withdrawn from Maldivian soil, as committed by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu,” he said. “Only Indian civilians currently remain, operating helicopters and Dornier aircraft.”
During the previous administration led by the MDP, opposition figures—now in government—voiced strong concerns about the presence of Indian military personnel. 'India Out' campaigns were held, with claims that there were thousands of Indian troops in the Maldives, including personnel in military uniforms and bearing arms.
Following the change in administration, the government initially stated that there were approximately 89 Indian troops in the Maldives. Subsequent figures released after discussions with the Indian government put the number at 76.
