Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has stated the photos circulating on social media shows Indian technicians who were brought in to work on the Coast Guard vessels. The photos circulating on social media show foreign nationals loading boxes on MNDF vehicles.
MNDF stated it is normal procedure to request foreign assistance for such work and that foreign technicians are required to conduct their work in the Maldives in accordance with the plan set out by the military. It stated the foreign technicians arrive in the Maldives as part of the agreements made with neighbouring countries to provide assistance to increase the operational capacity of MNDF. It noted that some of the vessels in the Coast Guard were given to the Maldives by India.
Furthermore, MNDF highlighted that all necessary documents are submitted to the Ministry of Defence for approval before bringing in foreign officials. It stated the photos were taken on February 14 and shows two civil technicians from the India Navy Dockyard who left the country on February 19.
MNDF added that two civil technicians also arrived in the Maldives in late 2021 to conduct maintenance work on the Coast Guard ship Huravee.