MALDIVES, APR 05 (DNA) – Maldives has slapped India by asking to take back naval helicopter deployed by New Delhi in the Indian Ocean island chain as a gift, a stand that is seen as a reflection of the strained relationship between the two neighbours.

President Yameen, who had received complete support from some countries including Pakistan and China. Over the past weekend, Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also travelled to Maldives, the first foreign dignitary hosted in Male after lifting of Emergency.

News of Maldives deciding to return the Indian chopper emerged soon after.

The move comes weeks after Maldives lifted a 45-day state of emergency which had outlawed protests amid political upheaval.

India did issue several statements that disapproved President Abdulla Yameen’s decision to impose Emergency. Maldives had responded to such statements with sharp rejoinders.

Maldivian government sources said Male wanted its maritime surveillance assets in Laamu atoll where China has reportedly agreed to build a new airport runway as well as a port, and not Addu Atoll, the southernmost island.

“There has been no tangible promise from India,” the source said, adding that there had been differences over the location of the assets too.

The sources said India did not agree with this decision. Besides, Maldives had also projected that it wanted a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft which could cover a larger area. Maldives government has suggested that India had agreed to give the Dornier but hadn’t.

India had sent its second helicopter to Maldives in 2016 when he stationed Indian Navy’s Advanced Light Helicopter MK III at Kadhdhoo Island in Laamu Atoll of Maldives along with the necessary staff. New Delhi had then described the decision as a step to further “strengthen the robust maritime cooperation between our two nations”.

But the perception that Maldives, who had a stated “India First” policy, was moving too close to China has led to considerable unease in New Delhi. A free trade pact that President Yameen quietly signed with China last year didn’t help build the environment of trust either.