Should a request be made, we will gladly transmit it: MEA on the comments made on Dorniers by the Maldivian Defense Minister

May 17, New Delhi, India: According to Ministry of External Affairs official spokesman Randhir Jaiswal, India would train Maldivian pilots to operate Dornier aircraft if Male requested it in New Delhi on Friday.

Jaiswal referred to capacity development as a crucial element of India-Maldives defense and security cooperation at a press conference.

When asked if the issue was brought up during a meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries and the Maldivian defense minister’s recent comments that their pilots lack the necessary skills to operate Dornier aircraft, Jaiswal responded, “Capacity building is an important component in our defence and security engagement with the Maldives.” We have already provided defense personnel with training. Additionally, we would be pleased to go ahead with any request for pilot training that we receive.”

According to local media on Sunday, Maldives Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon stated that the nation’s defense forces are still unable to operate the three planes that India gave, days after Indian personnel withdrew.

This occurs one day after Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer said that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the company that made the helicopter that the Indian government gave, has sent civilian employees to replace the 76 Indian military troops stationed on the island country.

According to Adhadhu, a Maldivian news outlet, Maumoon said at a press conference that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) “still does not have soldiers capable of” piloting the aircraft.

In response to a query, Ghassan said that while some troops had started training to fly the Dornier and two helicopters under contracts established by earlier administrations, there were no Maldivian soldiers qualified to pilot the aircraft. “Due to a variety of factors, our men had not finished the training, which included passing many levels. Consequently, no one in our force currently has a license or is completely qualified to operate a Dornier or an AHL platform,” Ghassan said.

It is important to remember, too, that in contrast to Ghassan’s statements, prominent officials of the present administration criticized the former administration and said that “there were capable pilots” in the MNDF, according to Adhadhu.

The commitment to train local pilots was included in the deal to replace the Indian forces with civilians, according to Maldivian Foreign Minister Zameer.

The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier on May 10 announced the “deputation of competent persons” to the island country and the departure of Indian military forces from the Maldives.

The Maldives administration, headed by Mohamed Muizzu, has officially asked India to remove its soldiers from Male. The primary election campaign of Muizzu’s party was the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from the Maldives. Since Mohamed Muizzu took power, there has been tension between Male and New Delhi.