News foreign affairs / defense Uthuru Thilhafalhu Impact 7.0/10 2 min read

No Foreign Troops Now or in Future on UTF: MNDF

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has assured the public that there are no foreign military personnel on Uthuru Thilhafalhu (UTF), responding to opposition claims of an Indian military presence. An MNDF official stated that UTF is a port for coast guard repairs, under MNDF control, with no foreign troops now or in the future. This comes as the government faces criticism for not sharing details of the UTF agreement with India, which the 'India Out' movement has capitalized on. Opposition figures characterize the project as an Indian military base, but the government and Chief of Defence Force Lt. Gen. Abdulla Shamaal deny these allegations, reaffirming MNDF control over UTF.

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Maldives Republic

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Sep 17, 2023

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The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has assured the public that there are no foreign military personnel on Uthuru Thilhafalhu (UTF), responding to opposition claims of an Indian military presence. An MNDF official stated that UTF is a port for coast guard repairs, under MNDF control, with no foreign troops now or in the future. This comes as the government faces criticism for not sharing details of the UTF agreement with India, which the 'India Out' movement has capitalized on. Opposition figures characterize the project as an Indian military base, but the government and Chief of Defence Force Lt. Gen. Abdulla Shamaal deny these allegations, reaffirming MNDF control over UTF.

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Maldives Republic

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