Maldives Faces Pilot Shortage After Withdrawal of Indian Defence Personnel

The Maldives is grappling with a shortage of pilots capable of operating aircraft donated by India, following the withdrawal of 76 Indian defence personnel from the island nation. Maldives Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon acknowledged that despite previous training agreements, the country's military lacks personnel licensed to fly the two helicopters and Dornier aircraft provided by India.

Why this matters: The Maldives' decision to expel Indian military personnel reflects a shift in its foreign policy, potentially leading to a greater Chinese influence in the region. This development could have significant implications for regional security and diplomatic relations between India, China, and the Maldives.

The withdrawal of Indian troops was a central promise of President Mohamed Muizzu's presidential campaign in 2023. The Indian military personnel were primarily responsible for operating the aircraft used for emergency evacuations. "As it was a training that required passing various stages, our soldiers had not reached completion due to various reasons. Therefore, there aren't any people in our force at the moment who are licensed or fully operational to fly the two helicopters and Dornier aircraft," Defence Minister Maumoon stated.

The troops were withdrawn on May 10, following a directive from President Muizzu earlier this year. India's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed that both countries are collaborating to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the aircraft. Indian technical personnel are being dispatched to the Maldives to take over from the departing soldiers.

Relations between India and the Maldives have been strained since President Muizzu, a pro-China leader, insisted on the withdrawal of all Indian military personnel operating the three aviation platforms by May 10. The Maldives' decision to expel Indian military personnel reflects its intent to foster stronger ties with China and is seen as a recalibration of the island nation's foreign policy, with President Muizzu seeking to assert its autonomy in foreign affairs.

The withdrawal of the 76 Indian military personnel coincided with Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer's inaugural visit to New Delhi, where discussions on bilateral relations took center stage. "As many as 26 soldiers withdrew from Gan between March 7 and March 9, while another 25 soldiers withdrew from Hanimaadhoo between April 7 and April 9, and 12 withdrew from Kadhdhoo on Tuesday. The final batch of 13 soldiers withdrew from Kadhdhoo on Thursday," Minister Zameer stated.

The Maldives is now facing the challenge of training its own pilots to operate the Indian-donated aircraft. Despite the failure to complete the training under previous agreements, Foreign Minister Zameer has stated that the agreement to replace the Indian soldiers with civilians also includes provisions for training local pilots. The command and control of the aircraft are now officially under the Maldives Defence Ministry and Maldives National Defence Force.

Key Takeaways

• Maldives faces pilot shortage for Indian-donated aircraft after 76 Indian defence personnel withdraw.
• Withdrawal reflects Maldives' shift towards China, potentially impacting regional security.
• Indian technical personnel to be sent to Maldives to ensure uninterrupted aircraft operation.
• Maldives to train own pilots to operate aircraft, with command and control under Defence Ministry.
• Development seen as Maldives' attempt to assert autonomy in foreign affairs.