India has announced plans to remove its troops from the Maldives by May, according to statements from the Maldivian Foreign Ministry on Saturday, marking a significant step as the two nations strive to mend strained relations.
Approximately 80 soldiers stationed in the Indian Ocean archipelago will be replaced by civilians, confirmed officials from both India and the Maldives.
With global powers vying for influence in the Indo-Pacific region, both India and China have sought to strengthen ties with the Maldives, traditionally seen as a close ally of India.
Tensions between New Delhi and Male escalated after Mohamed Muizzu assumed the presidency of the Maldives last year, signaling a shift away from the country’s previous “India First” policy.
Muizzu has called for the withdrawal of troops by March 15, citing the need to assert the Maldives’ sovereignty and reduce dependence on India. The troops were stationed to support military equipment provided by India and assist in humanitarian activities.
Under the agreement reached during a high-level meeting in New Delhi, the first batch of Indian troops will depart by March 10, with the remainder leaving by May 10. This decision comes amidst discussions on various bilateral cooperation issues.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that both countries have agreed on practical solutions to ensure the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide essential humanitarian services to the Maldives. However, no specific timeframe for the troop withdrawal was mentioned.
Indian authorities assert that the soldiers, including medical personnel, play a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid and medical evacuations for residents of the Maldives’ remote islands.
In addition to troops, India has provided Male with two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, primarily utilized for marine surveillance, search and rescue missions, and medical evacuations, all managed by Indian forces.
The next bilateral meeting is scheduled to take place in Male during the last week of February, according to the Maldivian Foreign Ministry.