President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has on Wednesday stated that the two helicopters gifted from the Indian government will be used for emergency medical evaluation as well as to conduct search and rescue operations over sea accidents, just like before.
President Solih stated this while addressing the media for the first time since returning to Maldives after state visit to India on Tuesday.
The Indian government gifted the two helicopters to the Maldives during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed, in 2010, and with the president highlighting that his predecessors had also renewed its agreement.
“Although the helicopters will be piloted by Indian pilots, the Maldivian government will decide when it will take flight, where and at what time” said the newly elected President.
While the helicopters were gifted during ex-President Nasheed’s administration, President Solih added that all expenses for them are covered by the Indian government.
During the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, authorities had asked India to take back one of the two helicopters, the Dhruv Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) in April, again having asked it to take back the second one in June, giving them until the end of June to do so.
This came at a time relations between both countries had soured since the Indian government called on Maldives to implement the Supreme Court ruling issued on the 01st of February.
Since the inauguration of President Solih’s administration, his new Minister of Defence, Mariya Ahmed Didi has stated that the two helicopters will remain in the Maldives, stating that "it is not in our culture to ask neighbors to take back what they give."
