India-Maldives Relations: The Foreign Ministry of Maldives has claimed that India will withdraw its troops from the island nation by May this year. The ministry said on Saturday (February 3) that India will withdraw its troops from Maldives. Officials said about 80 soldiers deployed in the Indian Ocean archipelago will be replaced by Indian civilians.
Maldives, citing the consensus reached at a high-level meeting in Delhi on several issues related to bilateral cooperation, said that the first group of Indian soldiers will leave the country by March 10 and the rest by May 10. Maldives Foreign Ministry said that the next bilateral meeting between the two countries will be held in Male in the last week of February.
Indian soldiers provide humanitarian aid
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that both countries have agreed to the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms. However, the ministry did not mention any time limit regarding the withdrawal of the army. India says that Indian soldiers deployed in Maldives, including a dozen medical personnel, provide humanitarian aid and medical treatment to people living in remote areas of the country.
Maldives has been close to India
Global powers are struggling to increase their influence in the Indo-Pacific region. China has attracted Maldives towards itself. Generally this neighboring country (Maldives) has been close to India. New Delhi has given Male two helicopters and one Dornier aircraft, which are mostly used for maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations and medical facilities. Indian soldiers manage their operations.
Tension between India and Maldives
Since the election of Mohammed Muizzu as the President of Maldives last year, there is tension in the relations between this neighboring country and India. In his election campaign, Muizzu had promised to end the country’s India First policy. He has also called for withdrawal of Indian troops deployed in Maldives by March 15.