Maldives' new administration headed by Dr Mohamed Muizzu has for the first time revealed the details of 77 Indian military personnel posted to the Indian Ocean nation, according to an official statement on Sunday evening.
Addressing a press briefing in Male on Sunday evening, Under Secretary for Public Policy at the President's Office Uz Mohamed Firzul Abdulla Khaleel stated that nearly 24 Indian troops were involved in helicopter operations, twenty-five of them were engaged in operations of a Dornier aircraft, and another 26 Indian military personnel were involved in the operations of another helicopter.
Khaleel added that two Indian military personnel were responsible for maintenance and engineering works for the aircraft.
The Indian government has gifted the Dornier aircraft as well as two Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) to the Maldives among other military aid to deal with climate-related and other contingencies.
The presidential secretary further told the briefing that over 100 bilateral pacts signed between the Maldives and foreign governments by the outgoing government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih were under review.
He asserted that the Muizzu government would cancel any pact which undermined the "sovereignty" of the country.
Muizzu last week formally conveyed Male's reservations about the presence of Indian security personnel in the country to India's Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju, who was New Delhi's representative at the swearing-in ceremony of the new president.
Muizzu has been a staunch backer of the 'India Out' campaign, in direct contrast to the 'India First' policy espoused by the outgoing Ibrahim Mohamed Solih administration.