On Tuesday, India rejected the allegation made by Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon, alleging that Indian military helicopter pilots stationed in the Maldives conducted an unauthorised operation in 2019.

In a statement, the High Commission of India in the Maldives asserted that Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated according to the "agreed procedures and with due authorisation."

The clarification was issued shortly after India completed the withdrawal of 76 military personnel from the Maldives, a move demanded by President Mohamed Muizzu. Relations between India and the Maldives have soured since Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, assumed power in November last year.

Muizzu had set May 10 as the deadline for the withdrawal of the Indian military troops from his country.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Defence Minister Ghassan said he knew about one of the aviation platforms undertaking an unauthorised sortie.

He recounted an incident wherein one of the two helicopters operated by Indian military personnel in the Maldives landed in Thimarafushi allegedly without permission. Ghassan stated that this incident was reviewed by the Parliament's Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) during his tenure as a lawmaker.

However, the Indian mission dismissed the allegation.

"Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated as per agreed procedures and with due authorisation from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)," the High Commission of India said.

In response to statements made by the Maldivian Defence Minister, the High Commission clarified that the incident involving an emergency landing at Thimarafushi on October 9, 2019, was "necessitated due to an unforeseen exigency." The High Commission further stated that the specific mission on October 9, 2019, was conducted with the approval of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

The High Commission clarified that “The emergency landing at Thimarafushi was necessitated due to an unforeseen exigency, which was carried out after taking necessary on-ground approvals from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) to ensure the safety and security of the platform and crew."

According to local media reports on May 11, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) revealed that Indian military personnel, who were previously operating helicopters gifted to the Maldives by the Indian government, undertook a trip on the helicopter without informing the Maldivian military during the tenure of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Incidentally, at the same press conference, Defence Minister Ghassan also confessed that the Maldives military still does not have pilots capable of operating three aircraft donated by India.

Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives to operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft gifted by India. The helicopters and the aircraft were used primarily for medical evacuations.

The last batch of Indian military personnel was repatriated by Friday, adhering to the May 10 deadline established under an agreement between the two nations in February in New Delhi.

In the meanwhile, a fresh row erupted, after Resonant News brought to the notice of Indian agencies that Maldivian News Network has referred to Indian troops as “militants”. The free run of the Maldivian media and the condemnable references to Indian forces may not go well with the Indian authorities and citizens who are already riled up with the Maldivian “India Out Campaign”.

Image source: PTI