No national security threat from indian troop figure doubts, govt says
Shaheeb's remarks indicate that the Defense Ministry and other relevant agencies have received the information but have not shared it with the President.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
The government is still unable to confirm the number of Indian troops currently stationed in Maldives.
As was first announced by this government, they claimed there were 77 Indian soldiers in Maldives. However, the government later said the number of Indian troops was 89, including doctors and health experts at Senahiya.
The exact number of Indian troops is still not clear, as different agencies have different numbers.
A month and a half after President Mohammed Muizzu took office, the government has not yet announced the exact number of Indian troops in Maldives.
In response to the questions, government spokesperson Mohamed Shaheeb said Thursday that the exact number of Indian troops in Maldives is not a threat to national security.
"The number of Indian troops, we are telling the media is the number we get. The relevant institutions are looking into it. They have not noted it as a threat to national security, and they are managing it," Shaheeb said.
The figures previously announced by the President's Office may still change, he said, adding that the figures being shared with the media at the moment are the figures received by the authorities so far.
When asked whether he did not believe that it was an issue that the exact number of Indian troops was still unclear to the government after almost two months, Shaheeb said he did not think it was a problem.
"I am giving you the information I have, the number is 89. Then the relevant government agencies are reviewing things and looking into things," he said.
Asked whether the Defense Ministry and other agencies knew the actual number of Indian troops in Maldives, Shaheeb said, "I believe they do”.
Shaheeb's remarks indicate that the Defense Ministry and other relevant agencies have received the information but have not shared it with the President's Office. However, he did not say exactly otherwise.
While in opposition, the ruling party had accused thousands of Indian troops of being in Maldives. Senior officials of this government have repeatedly said that this could lead to the loss of sovereignty and independence of the people.
The government has requested the withdrawal of Indian troops on its first day in office and a co-group has been formed between senior officials of the two governments. However, the government did not say when the Indian troops are expected to be withdrawn.
