India said Thursday that the first group of Indian technical staff had arrived in the Maldives.

At a weekly news briefing in the national capital, MEA spokesperson Randir Jaiswal stated, “We have had the first batch of technical personnel reach the Maldives, Male, to replace the existing personnel.”

The Maldives administration, led by Mohamed Muizzu, has formally demanded that Indian troops withdraw from Male.

“The first technical team to operate Gan’s advanced light helicopter has arrived in the Maldives.” It will replace the existing workers who have previously operated this platform…,” Jaiswal stated.

Notably, the Ministry of External Affairs previously claimed in its statement that India and the Maldives had reached an agreement on a series of mutually acceptable measures to allow Indian aircraft platforms to continue providing humanitarian and medvac services to Maldivians.

Previously, Maldives local media reported that President Mohamed Muizzu had ordered the Indian government to withdraw its soldiers from the island nation by March 15.

Muizzu’s main election campaign revolved around the removal of Indian troops from the country. The Maldives now has approximately 70 Indian troops stationed there, as well as Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters.

Meanwhile, on February 8, 2024, Jaiswal announced that the Maldives’ budget had increased to Rs 770.9 crore.

India remains a vital and devoted development partner for the Maldives.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed his optimism that the dispute with the Maldives will be handled diplomatically.

He emphasised that Indian military troops and aviation platforms in the Maldives are completely dedicated to the benefit of the local people, and that misunderstandings between two nations do occur from time to time.

Jaishankar stated at the event ‘The Rise of the Global South’ at TV9 Bharatvarsh Conclave, “Humanity is humanity. Diplomacy and politics are synonymous. The entire globe does not always act in accordance with obligations…so if we confront such a circumstance, the only option will be diplomacy.”

“We have to make people understand; sometimes people don’t even have complete knowledge of things and sometimes people get misguided on what others say,” he said.

Jaishankar went on to discuss the major functions of Indian military personnel and aviation platforms in the Maldives.

“There are two Indian helicopters and a plane in the Maldives. It is mostly used for medical evacuation. The Maldivians benefit from it. But these are military jets, so who will pilot them? “Obviously, military personnel,” Jaishankar explained.

He stated that the Indian side is in many rounds of discussions with the Maldivian side to address any discrepancies.

“They had a complaint, so we said, ‘Come on, let’s talk about it and find a solution. So, even if our intentions are good and the policy is clear, we end up in this scenario and must find a solution. “I am confident that we will be able to resolve this matter as well,” the EAM added.