India and Maldives Announce Timeline for Withdrawal of Indian Troops, Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu announced on Monday that India and the Maldives have agreed on a timetable for the withdrawal of Indian troops deployed in the archipelago. President Muizzu, delivering his first presidential statement at the opening of the 19th Parliament session, revealed that the first group of Indian troops is set to be sent back before March 10, 2024.

President Muizzu emphasized that safeguarding the freedom and sovereignty of the Maldivian people was his administration’s top priority. The move to withdraw foreign troops, including approximately 70 Indian troops, Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft, and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, was a key campaign promise of Muizzu’s party.

The Maldives-based Sun Online reported that talks with India are ongoing, with the Indian Army committed to moving military personnel from one of the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by March 10, and the personnel from the remaining two platforms to leave by May 10.

Muizzu outlined his administration’s commitment to establishing the ability of the Maldivian military to maintain the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) 24 hours a day. He stressed that the guiding principle in running the affairs of the Maldives would be to prioritize the interests of the people and the country, encapsulated in the policy of ‘Pro Maldives.’

However, the opening sitting of the People’s Majlis witnessed a boycott by opposition parties, with only 24 out of 80 Members of Parliament attending. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats, totaling 56 MPs, boycotted the session citing “undemocratic ways of the government.”

The announcement comes after the second meeting of the high-level core group between the Maldives and India in New Delhi last week. Both sides affirmed their commitment to replacing military personnel in one aviation platform by March 10, 2024, and completing the withdrawal from the other two platforms by May 10, 2024.

The Ministry of External Affairs from India stated that the two nations have agreed on mutually workable solutions to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms, providing essential humanitarian and medevac services to the Maldivian people. The next meeting of the high-level core group is scheduled to take place in Male during the last week of February. Discussions during the meetings have included a wide range of issues related to bilateral cooperation, with a focus on enhancing the partnership and expediting ongoing development cooperation projects.