The government of Maldives has renewed the chopper agreement with India. Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has announced helicopter operations have resumed following the contract renewal.
While the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih renewed the agreement, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration ordered India to take back the helicopters which strained relations between the two neighbouring nations.
The Indian helicopters were gifted in goodwill to assist the MNDF in emergencies. So far 151 patients were carried in the choppers and 50 search and rescue operations were conducted ever since their deployment in Maldives.
India provided the helicopters during former President Mohamed Nasheed's administration in 2010. The administrations of former President Mohamed Waheed and Abdulla Yameen also renewed the agreement.