Deployment of Indian aircraft in Maldives

Continuing uncertainties regarding deployment of Indian Navy HAL-Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and HAL Dhruv advanced light helicopter in the Maldives have exacerbated relationships between India and the Indian Ocean island republic. Tensions have remained with the Abdulla Yameen regime in the Maldives refusing to renew the letter of exchange (LoE) for deployment of a Dornier 228 in the archipelago and two Dhruv ALHs which India had gifted the Maldives. The latter were to operate from the Addu and Laamu atolls, the latter being one of the southern most and at entrance of the one-and-half degree channel, a major international shipping passage through the Maldives. Speculations are that the Chinese may have influenced the Maldivian decision.