The opposition coalition, PPM and PNC stated that Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) agreement is a threat to the independence of the Maldives and is in violation of the Maldivian constitution, therefore urges the government to immediately terminate the agreement.
A statement released by the opposition coalition further stated that, they were deeply concerned that the National security committee members were not given a copy of the agreement for further review and that the committee itself did not try to obtain a copy of the agreement.
In addition, the coalition believes that instead of showing a copy of the agreement they claim was the Uthuru Thila Falhu agreement from a screen, the committee is obligated to conduct separate reviews for each and every fragment of the agreement.
Therefore, the opposition coalition said that all of these serves as further proof of the failure of the Parliament and the government of Maldives in alleviating the concerns the Maldivians have regarding the agreement.
They further stressed that this agreement will be a threat to the sovereign power of the Maldives.
“The presentation given to the committee members revealed that India have the power to give diplomatic immunity to officials in any field, and keep them stationed at the UTF base for more than 15 years. While [the government] has stated that the people who will be brought to here by India will not include Indian military personnel, however, by signing an agreement which will enable Indian military personnel to be stationed in a Maldivian military base without seeking approval from the Maldivian Parliament violates the Article 115 (f), (2) of the Maldivian constitution” the statement said.
Furthermore, the statement said that, the MNDF has been trying to prove that the UTF agreement was signed during President Abdullah Yaameen Abdul Gayyoom’s government which indicates that some are trying to politically influence MNDF.
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