Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi has assured India has always helped Maldives and the administration does not see any reason for military cooperation with any other country.
Speaking to Indian newspaper The Hindu, in New Delhi, the defence minister said Maldives is very comfortable in having India as a close friend because as the closest neighbour of Maldives, India has been there to help. Observing Maldives does not want the Indian Ocean to become an area of contestation for great powers, Defence Minister Mariya noted there is a mutual understanding with India and emphasised Maldives is prioritise to keep the Indian Ocean a safe, protected zone where the bigger powers do not engage in a way that could perhaps be detrimental to the interests of Maldives.
Talking of defence cooperation, Mariya Didi welcomed the presence of Indian helicopters that were there for humanitarian assistance especially as the Maldives had a lot of islands and extreme weather in which helicopters were often the only mode of viable transport. She also confirmed that the two countries were holding discussions for a Dornier aircraft which would be used for search and rescue and surveillance.
India had gifted two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) in 2013, one operated by the Indian Coast Guard and the other by the Indian Navy. Last year, the Maldives government had refused to extend the visas of Indian military personnel after their validity had expired and asked India to take back the helicopters.
The bilateral relationship had turned frosty after Maldives started moving closer to China during President Abdulla Yameen’s tenure and worsened when a state of emergency was declared in February. However, relations have been normalised since the new government headed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took over in November.