Amid Diplomatic Row, Maldives Asks India To Withdraw Its Troops By March 15

New Delhi: As a diplomatic row rages, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has asked India to “withdraw all Indian military personnel” deployed in the archipelago nation by March 15.

Muizzu directed the country’s delegation engaged in a bilateral meeting with India to inform visiting officials that all troops should be withdrawn by mid-March, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, principal secretary to Muizzu, told mediapersons in Male on Sunday.

Muizzu, soon after being elected President, in November 2023 officially requested India to withdraw its military personnel stationed in his country. In his election campaign last year, Muizzu had sought to reduce ties with India and increase engagement with China.

India has had a small military presence in the Maldives for several years, at the request of the previous Maldivian government. This presence was primarily seen as a way to assist with maritime security and disaster relief.

The ongoing bilateral talks, which is the 12th meeting to discuss withdrawal of Indian troops, are evidence of Maldives’ desire to “move ahead with the withdrawal of Indian troops in a civilised and diplomatic matter without endangering the relationship between the two countries”, Ibrahim was quoted as saying by the local media.

Bilateral relations have been on the downswing after a clutch of Maldivian leaders, including serving ministers, mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep and his promotion of Indian islands. Maldivian ministers used derogatory words against the Indian PM after netizens compared the pristine beaches of Lakshadweep to those of Maldives.

India objected and protested with Maldives, following which three ministers were suspended by the Muizzu government.

Adding fuel to fire, President Muizzu said on Saturday after concluding a five-day visit to China that no country had the right to “bully” his country.