76 Indian soldiers expelled, replaced by same number of civilians

The Maldivian government says that 76 Indian soldiers were expelled from the Maldives, and replaced by an equal number of civilian personnel.

Male’ and New Delhi had agreed to a full withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives by last Friday.

In a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer said that Indian soldiers had been stationed in Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan.

He said that 26 soldiers withdrew from Gan between March 7 and March 9, while another 25 soldiers withdrew from Hanimaadhoo between April 7 and April 9, and 12 withdrew from Kadhdhoo on Tuesday.

The final batch of 13 soldiers withdrew from Kadhdhoo on Thursday.

“Civilians have been brought in to replace all of them, to maintain and manage [the aircrafts]. We want to note that only the necessary number had been here before, as well,” he said.

Civilian crew will leave in 2026

Zameer added that the civilian personnel were sent by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited – an Indian public sector aerospace and defense company based in Bangalore, which manufactured the helicopter donated by the Indian government.

He said that the letter of exchange signed between Maldives and India states when they will leave the Maldives.

As such:

• The contract period of the 26-member crew in Gan expires in February 2025
• The contract period of the 25-member crew in Kadhdhoo expires in February 2025
• The contract period of the 25-member crew in Hanimaadhoo expires in February 2026

“Their period of stay is declared in the latest letter of exchange signed with us. The period will remain in place for long as there are no amendments made to this letter of exchange. We will engage in further talks with the Indian government based on need,” said Zameer.

Addressing questions posed by the opposition regarding whether the people sent in to replace the soldiers are actually civilians, Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon said the government can confirm that they are.

“We checked their passports and credentials and can confirm to the Maldivian people that they are civilians,” he said.

The Maldivian government had previously said that documents show there are 89 Indian soldiers in the Maldives, to operate a military helicopter and Dornier aircraft, donated by India, used primarily for medical evacuations.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had campaigned on the promise of expelling Indian soldiers stationed in Maldives, which he said was a threat to the country’s national security.

He asked India to withdraw its troops, the day after he took office in November last year.

Following negotiations between Male’ and New Delhi, it was agreed to replace the soldiers with Indian technical personnel.