Amendment to require Majlis approval for foreign troops in the Maldives

The first reading of the amendment requiring parliamentary approval for foreign troops to be stationed in the Maldives has been held.

The first reading of the bill was held on Wednesday.

The bill to amend the Constitution to require a majority approval from the members of the People's Majlis for foreign troops to be stationed in the Maldives was submitted to the parliament by the government through MP for Hulhudhoo constituency Mohamed Shahid.

The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) lawmaker proposed to amend Article 251 (c) of the Constitution.

According to the current wording of the article in the Constitution, no part of the territory of the Maldives shall be given for military purposes to any foreign party except as provided by a law enacted by a majority of the total membership of the People's Majlis.

The proposed amendment to the article now states that no part of the territory of the Maldives shall be given for military use to any foreign party, whether under an agreement or otherwise, except as approved by a majority of the parliament.

Further, it states that foreign troops will not be allowed to operate in any form within the territory of the Maldives for military purposes without parliamentary approval, except for participation in military training exercises conducted under agreements.

The main issue the incumbent administration campaigned against to come to power was the presence of Indian troops operating the Dornier aircraft gifted by the neighboring country. Although Maldivian military officers were trained to operate the Dornier, it was operated by Indian troops. Later, when it was decided to send back the Indian troops, the aircraft was left inoperable for many days, after which civilian employees of the Indian military were brought back to the Maldives and are now operating the aircraft.