Maldivian boy's death linked to President Muizzu's denial of approval for Indian plane for medical evacuation

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Maldives, a 13-year-old lost his life due to delays in crucial medical treatment. Local media reports suggest the tragedy resulted from the alleged reluctance of the Maldivian government to use Indian choppers for timely medical evacuations.

This incident raises concerns about the fate of Indian assets in the region amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives.

The teen, battling a brain tumor and stroke, faced a critical need for immediate medical attention, prompting distress calls from his family that reportedly went unanswered for 16 crucial hours.

India had provided two naval choppers and a Dornier aircraft for medical evacuation and disaster recovery activities in the Maldives. However, the future of these assets remains uncertain due to the Maldivian government's insistence on expelling Indian military personnel responsible for their operations and maintenance.

President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives issued a deadline for India to withdraw its troops by March 15, despite ongoing talks to find a «workable» solution.

Indian officials express concern over potential consequences, contributing to the diplomatic strain between the two nations.

Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan responded to criticism for not utilizing Indian choppers, emphasizing that 93 percent of evacuations are still carried out by Maldivian Airlines. He stated that standard operating procedures do not mandate seeking the President's permission for medical operations.

The delay sparked protests near the hospital, with the grief-stricken father lamenting the lack of a prompt response.

He emphasized the need for air ambulances in such critical cases. The subsequent transfer to the capital Male, though accomplished,