NewsGate Press Network

India has stated that two rounds of talks have been held with Maldives on replacing Indian military personnel posted in the island nation.

This was stated by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday during the weekly press meet.

Ever since the new administration had taken over in Maldives led by Mohamad Muizzu, a prominent anti-India politician, India has been pressurised to withdraw all military personnel posted there.

On Thursday it was announced by the MEA that India will replace military personnel at aviation platforms in the Maldives with competent Indian technical staff.

In this regard, a second high-level group meeting took place in New Delhi on February 2 and a third meeting is scheduled to be held later this month.
Randhir Jaiswal stated that  – “What we had to say, we made it out in the press release. This was done after the second high-level core group meeting. We also said that the third core group meeting will be subsequently held.”
“I would like to say, the present personnel will be replaced by competent Indian technical personnel,” Jaiswal added.

Maldives had announced that India is replacing its defence staff by 10th of May.’

It may be recalled that the Muizzu had campaigned on anti-India plank during the recently concluded elections in Maldives.

As per the latest reports there are about 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed in the Maldives.