President Mohamed Muizzu announced on Sunday that India’s government has agreed to withdraw its soldiers from the Maldives, marking a significant shift from the archipelago’s previous “India first” policy.
The decision follows Muizzu’s victory in the September presidential election, where he pledged to remove the small Indian military contingent of approximately 75 personnel. Muizzu revealed, “In our discussions, the Indian government committed to removing its soldiers, and we’ve also agreed to establish a high-level committee to address development project issues.”
These developments were disclosed after Muizzu engaged with Indian officials on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit. India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet provided a response to inquiries made on Sunday.
This strategic move comes amid regional power dynamics, with India and China competing for influence. Muizzu’s coalition, perceived to lean more towards China, further underscores the geopolitical significance.
The majority of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives were responsible for operating and managing two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, generously provided by India. Beyond military support, India contributes to disaster response efforts and is actively involved in constructing a naval dockyard in the Maldives.
Muizzu, emphasizing his commitment to a foreign military-free Maldives, had initially requested the troop withdrawal from Kiren Rijiju, India’s Minister for Earth Sciences, during the president’s inauguration last month. These diplomatic discussions signify a noteworthy development in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Indian Ocean region.
