2024-10-08 01:02:41
Male: Maldives’ pro-China President Mohammed Muizzu is on a visit to India. He left for India at 12.06 pm in an aircraft of the Defense Research and Development Organization under the Indian Defense Ministry. Questions have started being raised regarding the use of Indian Defense Ministry aircraft during his visit. This is the same Muizzu, who, as soon as he became the President, had stopped the flight of the Dornier aircraft and ALH helicopter received as a gift from India and had also sent back about 125 Indian soldiers who were helping the common people of Maldives in medical emergencies.
Maldives does not have a presidential plane
Maldives is a small island country. It depends only on the income from tourism. In such a situation, the condition of Maldives is not such that it can arrange for a Presidential Air Fleet and bear the expenses of its maintenance. Only select countries of the world have a fleet of dedicated presidential aircraft, which are used during the flights of the Prime Minister and the President. India had also prepared its Presidential Air Fleet by purchasing aircraft from Boeing only a few years ago. In such a situation, the heads of state of most countries use the planes of their country’s air force or government airlines.
Muijju came to India by DRDO plane
According to flight tracking sites, the aircraft “IFC1424” is operated by the Indian Air Force. The call sign of this aircraft is IFC1424. This is the Airbus A321 model, which is used by India’s DRDO. The plane also carries Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu along with his wife Sajida Mohammed, some ministers, officials of the President’s Office, members of the ruling party and journalists.
These Maldivian ministers reached India with Muizzu
The ministers accompanying President Muizzu include Foreign Minister Abdullah Khalil, Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon, Home Minister Ali Ihusan, Finance Minister Musa Zameer, Health Minister Ahmed Nazim, Economy Minister Mohammad Saeed, Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal, Transport Minister Mohammad Amin and Construction Minister Abdullah Mutthalib.
Top officials of Maldives also in Muizzu’s delegation
He is also joined by Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) Governor Ahmed Munawar, Deputy Chief of Defense Force Ahmed Gias, Senior Chief Spokesperson Hina Waleed and Minister of Communications in the Office of the President Ibrahim Khalil. Ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader MP Ibrahim Fallah is also a member of the delegation. Journalists accompanying the President include Abdullah Muaz of Public Service Media (PSM), Ahmed Hamdoun of Miharu, Mahath Hussain Rasheed of Sangu TV, Najah Masood of Waguthu and Nahuda Faiz from Dhiyares.
Muizzu will return to Maldives on Thursday
President Muizzu will return to Maldives on Thursday after concluding his state visit to India. He is visiting on the invitation of Indian President Draupadi Murmu. He will meet President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold official talks to enhance bilateral relations. The President will also visit Mumbai and Bangalore during his visit. International media had earlier quoted Indian officials as saying that the purpose of the visit was to seek financial assistance. But no government has commented on this matter.