Indian High Commission Dismisses Maldives' Claim Of Unauthorised Sortie In 2019, Says Necessary Approvals Taken

India refuted Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon's claims of unauthorised helicopter operations in the Maldives in 2019, stating that its aviation platforms operate with MNDF approval.

India has refuted claims made by Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon who alleged that Indian military helicopter pilots stationed in the Maldives conducted an unauthorised operation in 2019. The High Commission of India in the Maldives released a statement asserting that Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have consistently operated according to agreed procedures and with proper authorisation.

This clarification comes in the wake of India completing the withdrawal of 76 military personnel from the Maldives, following a demand by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. Tensions between India and the Maldives have escalated since Muizzu, considered a pro-China leader, assumed power in November last year. Muizzu had set May 10 as the deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military troops from his country.

Defence Minister Ghassan, addressing a press conference, claimed knowledge of an unauthorised sortie by Indian aviation platforms. He narrated an incident where an Indian military helicopter landed in Thimarafushi without permission in 2019, a case he said was reviewed by the Maldivian Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) during his tenure as a lawmaker, news agency PTI reported.

However, the Indian mission rebuffed the allegation, stating, "Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated as per agreed procedures and with due authorisation from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)."

Regarding the specific incident of October 9, 2019, when an emergency landing occurred at Thimarafushi, the High Commission clarified that it was "necessitated due to an unforeseen exigency" and was conducted with MNDF approval.

MNDF Claim On Indian Military Personnel Operating Helicopters

Furthermore, accordinglocal media, on May 11, the MNDF claimed that Indian military personnel previously operated helicopters gifted to the Maldives by the Indian government without notifying the Maldivian military during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

At the same press conference, Defence Minister Ghassan admitted the lack of Maldivian 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, primarily used for medical evacuations, PTI reported.

The last batch of Indian military personnel were repatriated by Friday, in line with the February agreement between the two countries reached in New Delhi. The Maldives holds significance for India as a key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), playing a vital role in initiatives like ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India's ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.