Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon addressed concerns on Saturday regarding the previous presence of Indian soldiers at the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF).

Speaking at a press conference convened at the President’s Office to provide updates on the return of Indian military personnel and the deployment of civilian personnel to operate helicopters, Ghassan acknowledged the existence of documents confirming the past deployment of Indian troops at UTF.

However, he clarified that currently, there are no Indian soldiers stationed at the base.

The Defense Minister emphasized the need for a thorough review of the documents through the Foreign Ministry before disclosing specific details about the agreement that facilitated the presence of Indian troops at UTF.

Ghassan highlighted the importance of mutual agreement between Maldives and India in revealing the contents of any agreements governing the presence of foreign military personnel on Maldivian soil.

Ghassan's remarks followed allegations made during the previous administration regarding the presence of armed Indian soldiers at UTF.

Ghassan's remarks came in response to questions about allegations made during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration regarding the presence of Indian troops at the base.

The allegations, made by the now-ruling PPM-PNC, suggested that the UTF agreement permitted the presence of armed Indian soldiers.

These claims were reiterated during a rally on February 11, 2022, by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who described UTF as an Indian military base over which the Maldivian military allegedly had no control.

The Defense Minister's statement indicates a willingness to review past agreements and provide transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding the presence of Indian troops at the UTF military base.