Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has reportedly requested the Indian government to withdraw its troops from the island nation by March 15, as per the Adhadhu newspaper based in the Maldives. The request follows a meeting between officials from the Indian High Commission in the Maldives and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Male.
Abdulla Nazim, the Policy Director of the Maldives President’s Office, stated in a press conference that President Muizzu proposed the removal of Indian troops by March 15, and discussions on this matter are currently ongoing. Despite this, the Ministry of External Affairs has not released any official statement regarding the reported meeting.
Nazim emphasized the government’s stance that Indian troops cannot stay in the Maldives, aligning with President Muizzu’s promise and the sentiments of the people. The ongoing meeting involves the participation of Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar, senior officials from India, and representatives from the Maldives Foreign Ministry and President’s Office.
Key figures attending the meeting include Chief of Staff of the President’s Office Abdulla Fayaz, Ambassador at Large Ali Naseer, Maldives Ambassador to India Ibrahim Shaheeb, and Chief of Defense Force Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, according to Adhadhu newspaper.
President Muizzu’s party campaigned prominently on the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives, and the current troop presence includes approximately 70 Indian soldiers, Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft, and two HAL Dhruv helicopters.
President Muizzu officially requested the withdrawal of Indian military personnel on his second day in office. In December of the previous year, he claimed that an agreement had been reached with the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel. The diplomatic tensions escalated following disparaging remarks made by some Maldivian officials against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep visit.
Despite the controversy, various Maldivian politicians, including former presidents and ministers, reiterated India’s significance as a close and vital partner for the island nation. President Muizzu, amid these developments, embarked on a state visit to China from January 7-12 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, where diplomatic relations were also highlighted during the official engagements, including a state banquet hosted by President Xi for President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed.