Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has formally requested India to withdraw all Indian military personnel stationed in the Indian Ocean archipelago by March 15. The demand was made during the inaugural meeting of a high-level core group established by both nations to address this issue. The Maldivian delegation, led by Muizzu, conveyed the stipulated withdrawal deadline to Indian officials. This marks the twelfth meeting dedicated to discussing the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives.
Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, principal secretary to the Maldivian president, emphasized that the talks aim to facilitate a civilized and diplomatic withdrawal without jeopardizing the overall relationship between the two countries. The policy directive, as stated by President Muizzu’s administration, is that Indian military personnel cannot remain in the Maldives.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement indicating that both parties engaged in discussions on finding a mutually agreeable solution to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms, which provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the Maldivian population. Currently, there are 77 Indian military personnel in the Maldives overseeing two helicopters and an aircraft that have conducted numerous medical evacuations and humanitarian missions.
The meeting also touched upon bilateral cooperation issues, with an emphasis on expediting the implementation of ongoing development projects. The next meeting of the high-level core group is scheduled to take place in India on a mutually convenient date.
The backdrop of this meeting is characterized by a strained bilateral relationship following the election of President Muizzu, who has expressed a desire to bring the Maldives closer to China. Measures announced by Muizzu, such as diversifying partnerships in healthcare and food security away from India, have contributed to tensions. The president’s call for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel aligns with his campaign focus on an “India out” platform during the presidential election. Despite these challenges, both countries continue diplomatic engagements to manage and resolve their differences.
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