Male: President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives announced that the second group of Indian military personnel, who were operating a helicopter gifted by India, has departed from the island nation, fulfilling his demand. President Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, reiterated that foreign ambassadors in Male hold no authority over him, emphasizing the sovereignty vested in the citizens.
During a campaign event for the ruling People’s National Congress party ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, President Muizzu confirmed the withdrawal of Indian military contingents, setting a precedent for the removal of foreign soldiers from the Maldives, a promise he championed during his election campaign last year.
Under an agreement reached between Maldives and India in February, Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives to manage military aircraft operations were to be replaced by trained civilians from India. President Muizzu affirmed that the remaining Indian soldiers on the last aviation platform would also leave before the May 10 deadline he had set, marking the fulfillment of his commitment to remove Indian soldiers from the Maldives.
While details regarding the number of personnel in the second batch and their replacements remain undisclosed, it is unclear whether the soldiers have been substituted with trained Indian civilians. Neither the Maldives Defence Ministry nor India has commented on this recent withdrawal.
The bilateral relationship between Maldives and India has experienced strain since President Muizzu assumed office in November, with the Maldives forging closer ties with China. Notably, President Muizzu visited China in January, engaging in discussions with top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping. This shift towards China was further solidified by the signing of a defence cooperation agreement and several infrastructure development projects between China and the Maldives.
Despite these geopolitical shifts, the Maldives continues to hold significance in India’s regional strategies, such as the ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR) initiative and its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, highlighting the enduring importance of the Indian Ocean Region and its maritime neighbors like the Maldives to India.
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