Last Updated on 27/07/2024 by Ankita Jain
The Maldives has resumed the use of a Dornier aircraft and two helicopters gifted by India for medical evacuations. Pro-China President Mohammed Muizzu has thanked India for enabling the resumption of medical evacuation services with civil aviation personnel from India.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) told local media that the provision of medical evacuations through Dornier flights and helicopters has resumed. Two medical emergencies were reported on Friday night, the MNDF said in a post on X.
The Dornier aircraft and helicopters were earlier operated by Indian military personnel and were grounded soon after President Muizzu was sworn in last November.
As per the agreement between India and Maldives in February this year, all Indian military personnel were to return in batches by May 10 and India kept its promise. The military personnel were replaced by civilians as India did not take back the Dornier aircraft and helicopters gifted to Maldives a few years ago.
News portal adhdhu.com said that Indians are deployed in Hanimaadhoo to operate Dornier aircraft and in Laamu Kadhoo and Seenu Gan to operate helicopters. A total of 76 Indians are deployed on these islands.