Maldives is buying modern recon drones from Turkey to monitor its maritime borders and reduce dependence on neighboring India. However, the administration of Maldives or Turkey has not yet confirmed whether the military drone is armed.
Muizju administration has signed an agreement with Turkey worth 37 million dollars to monitor the sea border.
According to the report, Maldives has recently signed an agreement with Turkey worth 37 million dollars to reduce India’s dependence. They are buying three drones with that money. Earlier, India was working with the Maldivian National Defense Force (MNDF) for maritime surveillance. They therefore presented the island nation with a ‘Dornier aircraft’ and two ‘Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters’.
Although the aircraft was used for surveillance, it was also used to transport essential supplies and patients from the outer islands to the capital Maler Hospital. The new drones imported from Türkiye will replace Dornier aircraft. Through this, the Maldives will gain more surveillance capabilities in the deep sea.
Besides, the current government of Maldives has taken plans to diversify its sources of pharmaceuticals. Under this they have announced a program to import staple food items from Türkiye. The government’s national health insurance is also being extended to cover hospitals in the UAE and Thailand.
Before this, President Muijju announced the removal of Indian influence from the Maldives after coming to power in November 2023. He has already visited China. After returning from that trip, he asked the Indian troops to leave his country by March 15.
The issue of the agreement to purchase military drones from Turkey was revealed amid the diplomatic tension between the two countries.
It is believed that the work of monitoring the sea border has been done by the members of the Indian Army for so long, the new government will do that work itself from now on.
Meanwhile, India is looking for a solution not to withdraw troops from Maldives. Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has held a meeting with the foreign minister of the country in continuation of that. But so far no definite solution has been found.
According to experts, the withdrawal of troops from the Maldives means removing ourselves from an important position in the Indian Ocean. Besides handing over the strategic place to China. However, India is trying to come to an understanding if a few military personnel can be retained to maintain the one aircraft and two helicopters gifted to the country. However, that possibility is very low according to analysts.
The relationship between the two countries has been strained due to the taunting of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Maldivian Deputy Minister and leaders of the ruling party. Since then, the bitterness seems to be increasing as time passes.
