In a significant development, India has committed to withdrawing its troops from the Maldives, as confirmed by the president of the strategically positioned archipelago. President Mohamed Muizzu, elected in September as a stand-in for a pro-China predecessor facing corruption charges, emphasized that his intent is not to disrupt the regional balance by substituting Indian forces with Chinese military presence.
The statement from the president’s office, issued late Sunday, highlighted the fruitful outcome of constructive meetings and dialogues with the Indian government, resulting in an agreement to withdraw Indian military personnel. The Indian personnel were deployed to operate three aircraft gifted to the Maldives for maritime patrol.
Despite being renowned as one of South Asia’s most opulent holiday destinations, with pristine white beaches and secluded resorts, the Maldives has evolved into a geopolitical focal point. The nation’s chain of 1,192 tiny coral islands spans approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) across the equator, intersecting global east-west shipping lanes.
President Muizzu’s office noted that the withdrawal agreement is currently “in progress at a technical level” and underscored its commitment to utilizing diplomatic channels as the primary means to ensure the absence of foreign military presence on Maldivian soil. The statement did not specify a timeframe for the troop withdrawal, and there was no immediate response from New Delhi on Monday.
This development ensued following a meeting between President Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28 in Dubai. The leaders agreed to establish a high-level committee tasked with coordinating efforts to address challenges associated with ongoing development projects in the Maldives, according to the statement from the Maldives. Source: AFP
