Minister of Defense Ustaz Mariya Ahmed Didi has said that officers of the Maldivian National Defense Force (MNDF) have expressed concern over efforts to drive out the Indian military from Maldives.

Minister Mariya said this in response to questions posed by members of Parliament after she had been presented before the Parliament today. Minister Mariya had been summoned to answer for comments she had made about Maldivian defense to an Indian media source while on an official visit.

The Minister reiterated that MNDF officers had not raised any concerns to her regarding any comments that she had made.

She said however that MNDF officers have expressed their concern over current efforts to drive out Indian military from Maldives. Minister Mariya said that the concern is regarding the talk of driving out Indian military while there are wars going on among nations. She noted that the narrative of “driving out” a foreign military presence in a country implies that the foreign military has taken over the country. The Minister of Defense said that this is certainly not the case at this time and said that as such, there is no need for such talk of driving out foreign military from this country.

She said that various politicians have spread these narratives in an effort to violate the peace, and spread discord, hatred and fear within the country. Minister Mariya noted that the purpose of this narrative is to ensure that a political advantage is acquired within a short period of time by ensuring that there is political division among the people of Maldives.

Former Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer has spearheaded efforts to attempt to drive out the India- gifted military choppers and military officers from Maldives.