Presented by the Indian government, the two helicopters would remain, confirmed the President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Wednesday.
Maldives under former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s regime has had one of them given back in May and had requested India to remove the remaining one by the end of June. Howbeit, followed by some broad discussions among twain sides, government of Maldives elongated the deadline upto December.
Speaking throughout the duration of a press conference to concise the media on his state visit to India, president Solih stated about the helicopters had been made use of for plentiful search and rescue operations and medical evacuations.
There had been reports that the then government had been concerned by the presence of Indian navy staff who are stationed in the Maldives for the maintenance of the choppers.
India had reportedly stationed six pilots and over a dozen ground personnel to operate the choppers and also help the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF).
0 comments