Reports from Maldivian media suggest that the initial contingent of Indian military personnel, who were stationed in the Maldives and overseeing a helicopter gifted by India, have now returned home, handing over the chopper's operations to an Indian civilian crew. According to a spokesperson for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), approximately 25 Indian soldiers who were based in Addu city have departed from the Maldives, allowing for the transition of helicopter operations to civilian hands.
While there hasn't been immediate confirmation from India's defense ministry regarding this withdrawal, the MNDF official affirmed that the Indian military personnel departed in accordance with the agreed timeline, preceding March 10. Going forward, the helicopters will be managed by civilian experts from India who have been deployed to the Maldives for this purpose, as reported by the Editon.mv news portal.
Furthermore, it was confirmed that the remaining Indian military personnel stationed elsewhere in the Maldives will also depart as scheduled by May 10. President Mohamed Muizzu, perceived as favoring closer ties with China, has reiterated that no Indian military personnel, even those in civilian attire, will be present in the Maldives after May 10. He stated this position firmly, emphasizing that the Indian military presence in any form will cease.
Following a diplomatic meeting in New Delhi on February 2, the Maldivian foreign ministry announced that India would replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10, with the first phase of the transition to be completed by March 10. India agreed to withdraw its troops under the condition that an equivalent number of civilian personnel would be brought in to operate the aircraft.
Muizzu's administration has consistently advocated for the removal of Indian personnel from the Maldives, with the president himself demanding their withdrawal shortly after assuming office. Additionally, the government permitted a Chinese research vessel to dock in Male, signaling a shift towards closer ties with China. A recent agreement between the MNDF and China's military outlines the provision of "non-lethal" weapons to the Maldives free of charge.
The first batch of Indian civilian personnel, numbering 26 individuals, arrived on February 26 to take over helicopter operations in Addu city. India also facilitated the transportation of a new helicopter and the repair of the existing one used in Addu city, with the arrival of the new helicopter noted on February 29.
President Muizzu requested the withdrawal of 89 military personnel from the Maldives, to which India agreed, promising to replace them with civilians while continuing the operations of two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft used for humanitarian and medical evacuation purposes.
Given the Maldives' geographical proximity to India and its strategic location at the heart of commercial sea lanes in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the developments regarding military presence in the archipelago hold significant strategic implications.
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