Mariya: Helicopters gifted by India will not be returned

Minister of Defense of Maldives has announced the decision not to return the two helicopters gifted to Maldives by the Indian government.

The Indian government, during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, was asked to take back the helicopters.

But the new Minister of Defense of Maldives, Mariya Ahmed Didi has announced the helicopters will not be returned.

Speaking during an interview to Indian newspaper WION last Sunday, Mariya said the helicopters could be put to good use to conduct evacuations and search and rescue operations.

“It’s not in our culture to ask neighbors to take back what they give," said Mariya during her interview.

During a recent interview to an Indian newspaper, Chief of Defense Force, Major General Ahmed Shiyam said military officers found it difficult to operate the helicopters, especially during bad weather.

The previous administration had said the Indian government had agreed to gift a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft in exchange for the two helicopters.

The first helicopter was gifted to Maldives in 2010 and the second helicopter was gifted in 2011. One is stationed at Gan, Addu City and the other is stationed at the Iskandhar Airport at L. Atoll.

It is alleged over 40 Indian military personal are stationed in Maldives to look after the helicopters.