'Those building fear psychosis about Indian military intentions are ill-informed'

Those building fear psychosis about Indian military intentions are ill informed, says the Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir.

Speaking to RaajjeTV regarding the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla's visit to the Maldives, High Commissioner Sudhir stated that the aid provided by the Indian military to the Maldives is recorded.

Highlighting the November 3rd of 1988, High Commissioner said that, while the aid of the Indian military 32 years ago was appreciated the Maldivian government, world leaders, such as the President of the United States and the Prime minister of United kingdoms, applauded the act.

He said that those people who are building fear psychosis about Indian military intentions are ill informed and motivated, as the recorded history speaks for itself.

Sudhir also said that, it is recorded history that whenever there has been a humanitarian crisis in the Maldives, it is Indian defence forces which have come to the rescue. India’s armed forces were involved in tsunami relief and rehabilitation operations in the Maldives in 2004 and again during the water crisis in Male in 2014, said Sudhir.

During his interview Sudhir recalled the aid provided by the Indian military to the Maldives during the pandemic, such as the, Operation Sanjeevani, launched by the Indian Air Force, in April 2020, which airlifted essential medicines ordered by the Maldives from four cities in India and brought them to the Maldives. As well as the delivery of 580 tons of food aid to ensure food security for the Maldives.

High Commissioner Sudhir, highlighted that the helicopters provided by India since 2010 and 2016 have been undertaking humanitarian assistance, EEZ surveillance, and, search and rescue operations under the command and control of the MNDF and stressed that more than 250 Maldivian lives have been saved through medical evacuations.

He said that the Dornier aircraft provided since September 2020 has added to the capabilities of the MNDF in this regard and that India is also undertaking capacity building of MNDF personnel involved in these operations on a regular basis. Some Maldivians have already been trained as Dornier pilots and more trainings will be done in the future, said the High Commissioner.

Indian High Commissioner stated that With the high caliber and capabilities of Indian defence forces and the determination of the Government of India to assist the Government and people of the Maldives in crises times, they have proven time and again as to who comes to the rescue.