Official talks between the Maldives and India regarding the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the archipelagic nation have commenced, almost two months after the Maldivian government requested their removal. The discussions, part of a high-level core group established during a meeting between Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December, took place at the Maldivian Foreign Ministry headquarters in Male', as reported by SunOnline newspaper.
Ibrahim Khaleel, the Minister at the President's Office for Strategic Communications, stated that the group was focused on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel and expediting India-backed development projects in the Maldives. President Muizzu, after taking office on November 17, 2023, formally requested India's withdrawal of military personnel, emphasizing the Maldivian people's strong mandate for this action.
Khaleel previously mentioned that the new Maldivian administration led by President Muizzu had identified 77 Indian military personnel in the Maldives. The review of more than 100 bilateral agreements with New Delhi is also underway.
The breakdown of Indian military personnel in the Maldives includes 24 for managing the first helicopter, 25 for the Dornier aircraft, 26 for the second helicopter, and two for maintenance and engineering.
The discussions about military personnel withdrawal occur amid tensions between the two nations due to derogatory comments posted by three deputy ministers of the Muizzu government against Prime Minister Modi. President Muizzu, during his recent state visit to China, expressed a desire to align the Maldives closer to Beijing.
In response to the derogatory social media postings, Muizzu suspended the three ministers, causing concern in India and leading to calls for a boycott by Indian tourists, who constitute the highest number of visitors, followed by Russian tourists. Chinese tourists rank third in numbers.
(With Agency Inputs)
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