On Saturday, Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu formally asked the Indian government to withdraw its troops from the Maldives.
The request was made during Muizzu’s meeting with the Indian Minister of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju, who was in the Maldives to attend the former’s swearing-in ceremony.
Formal Request for Removal
“The Government of Maldives has formally requested the Government of India to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives,” a readout from the government stated.
One day after Mohamed Muizzu was sworn in as the 8th president of the Maldives, the new leader, who campaigned on altering his country’s "India first" policy, has asked India to withdraw its military from the country. https://t.co/TdfXhSCoAW
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 19, 2023
According to reports, Muizzu raised the issue of Indian military personnel being present in the archipelago to operate aircraft for medical evacuation and anti-drug trafficking purposes.
However, the newly-elected president acknowledged the contribution of the two Indian helicopters and an aircraft, provided by India to the MNDF, in delivering emergency medical evacuations.
Muizzu told Rijiju that, during the September election, the Maldivian people had “given him a strong mandate to make the request to India.”
He hoped that “India will honour the democratic will of the people of the Maldives”.
Additionally, sources said the two sides agreed to discuss “workable solutions for continued cooperation” by using two helicopters and a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft given to the Maldives by India.
So far, there has been no official word from the Indian side on the development.
Agreements Signed with Delhi Under Review
The Maldivian Undersecretary for Public Policy of the Presidential Office, Mohamed Firuzul Abdul Khaleel, said there are 77 Indian military personnel in the country.
Of these, 24 Indian military personnel manage the first helicopter, 25 manage the Dornier aircraft, 26 manage the second helicopter, and two others look after the maintenance and engineering.
According to SunOnline, Firuzul said the former administration of ex-President Solih had signed over 100 agreements with India, which the new administration is reviewing.
India-Maldives Constructive Ties
During the meeting, Rijiju expressed India’s aspiration to “foster a constructive relationship with the Maldives, acknowledging the presence of a vibrant Indian community residing in the Maldives.”
The two leaders also reviewed the progress of various India-backed projects in the Maldives.
Minister of Earth Sciences of India, His Excellency Kiren Rijiju arrived in the Maldives to attend the Presidential Inauguration 2023.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇲🇻 (@MoFAmv) November 16, 2023
The Minister was received by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President-elect. pic.twitter.com/STdtE9PnLh
Muizzu emphasised the importance of accelerating the Greater Male Connectivity Project and highlighted the need for “addressing and overcoming the issues delaying the project.”
“India Out” Campaign
In his inaugural address after being sworn in as president, Muizzu said that while he will respect his country’s neighbours and other countries, he will “always draw a thick line” with regard to the Maldives’ security.
“Using the instrument of diplomacy, I will ensure that this country has no foreign military presence on its soil,” he asserted.
The new president is said to hail from the pro-China camp in Maldives, as he came to power on the back of a strong ‘India-Out’ Campaign, which accused the previous government of compromising the country’s security by allowing Indian boots on the ground.
Muizzu’s victory in the election is expected to alter the course of India-Maldives ties, which enjoyed a favourable spell under ousted President Ibrahim Solih.