Diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Male witnessed another major blow after the Maldives recently accused an Indian naval chopper of undertaking an unauthorised sortie, a claim that India has categorically denied.
India responded to the allegations, saying: “Indian aviation platforms in the island nation have always operated as per agreed procedure.”
On May 10 this year, India withdrew all its military personnel from Maldives. They were involved in operating two Indian helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the archipelago for humanitarian assistance and disaster response activities.
Maldives claims Indian helicopter made ‘unauthorised’ sortie
The next day, on May 11, at a press conference convened by Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu-led government, the country’s defence minister Ghassan Maumoon alleged that Indian military helicopter pilots had “flown without Maldivian authorisation” during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in 2019.
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Chief, Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, who was also at the press conference, alleged that the “unauthorised flight had taken place, with the Indian military personnel landing the helicopter in the island of Thimarafushi in Thaa Atoll, about 222 km south of the capital city of Male.
Ghassan also assured the media that “such unauthorised flights could not have been conducted after the Muizzu-led government assumed office.”
India denies Maldives claims
India denied the allegation made by the Maldives. The High Commission of India in Maldives said: “The specific sortie on October 9, 2019 referred to at the press conference was undertaken with the approval of MNDF.”
“Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated as per agreed procedures and with due authorisation from MNDF. The specific sortie on October 9, 2019, referred to at the press conference was also undertaken with the approval of MNDF,” the statement by the Indian High Commission said.
“The emergency landing at Thimarafushi was necessitated due to an unforeseen exigency, which was carried out after taking necessary on-ground approvals from the ATC to ensure the safety and security of the platform and crew,” the High Commission further said.
Muizzu, who defeated Ibrahim Solih in the Maldives elections last year, had centred his election campaign around the slogan ‘India Out’, urging India to withdraw its troops from Maldives.
Soon after taking office in November 2023, Muizzu formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel. This issue was also raised during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the UAE.
After this, Maldives also pulled out from a hydrography agreement with India.
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India rejects Maldives’ claim of ‘unauthorised’ chopper sortie, says had proper approvals
