India's first civilian team arrives to replace its troops in Maldives

The first of the Indian civilian team have arrived in Maldives to replace Indian army personal operating aviation aircrafts in the island nation, defence ministry said late Monday.

After extensive negotiations, the two countries last month had agreed to continue the operations of the two helicopters and Donier aircraft gifted by India, primarily used in medical evacuations and search and rescue operations. 

Around 80 Indian military personnel stationed in the archipelago to operate the aircrafts will be replaced by "technical Indian civilian personnel", both governments had revealed. 

Defence Ministry in a statement late Monday said the first team of Indian civilians had arrived and will takeover the operation of the helicopter in Addu, the southernmost Atoll of the country. 

The Indian military personnel stationed in Addu will leave by March 10 as agreed by the two governments, the statement said. 

The statement also said a replacement helicopter will also arrive from India by Wednesday and the civilian team will begin training exercises to takeover its operations. 

The ministry however, did not specify the number of Indian civilians that will be involved in the operation of the helicopter. 

The governments have agreed to complete the replacement of Indian soldiers with civilians by May 10. 

Incumbent president Dr. Mohamed Muizzu who won the presidency last November under an extensive "India Out" campaign had pledged to remove Indian military personnel from the country.