The Maldives’s Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon has admitted that its military lacks pilots capable of operating three aircraft donated by India, days after the last of the Indian defence personnel left the island nation.
The Indian personnel left the Maldives on Friday, adhering to a deadline set in February as part of an agreement between the two nations. This agreement followed a demand made by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, shortly after taking office in November 2023.
The Maldives signed a military assistance pact with China in March. It has also allowed a Chinese research vessel to dock at its port, in India's backyard.
