Maldives President Formally Requests India To Withdraw Military Personnel

President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives officially asked India to remove its military forces from the island nation during his meeting with Indian Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on November 18 in Malé.

On Saturday, news agency ANI reported that both governments agreed to discuss feasible solutions for ongoing cooperation utilizing the Indian military personnel, considering the best interests of the Maldivian people.

After the meeting with President Muizzu, Rijiju shared on social media (formerly Twitter), "Privileged to call on President H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Conveyed greetings from Hon'ble PM @NarendraModi and reiterated India's commitment to further strengthen the substantive bilateral cooperation and robust people-to-people ties."

Responding to earlier queries about President-elect Muizzu's intentions to seek troop withdrawal, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi highlighted India's significant role in the Maldives, citing over 500 medical evacuations and more than 450 maritime security missions conducted in the past five years. Bagchi also emphasized India's consistent support during disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Muizzu acknowledged the vital role played by Indian helicopters and aircraft stationed in the Maldives, especially in medical evacuations, including one carried out by the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) on a recent Saturday.

The request to withdraw Indian troops isn't new; it was previously made by the Yameen government before the Solih administration. Despite requests, India retained the two helicopters gifted in 2013 and later added a Dornier aircraft in 2020 during President Solih's tenure.

Indian troops in the Maldives manage the Dornier aircraft and two helicopters. The MNDF informed the parliamentary committee in November 2021 that 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives for aircraft and chopper operations.

The agreement between the Maldives and India for the development of a dockyard and military port in Uthuru Thilafalalhu raised concerns about Indian military personnel enjoying diplomatic immunity and the erosion of Maldivian sovereignty. The Opposition capitalized on this, boosting the India Out campaign.

The agreement, known as UTF, included a $50-million loan for the development of North Thilafalalhu. The military port is a joint effort between the Maldivian and Indian armed forces, strictly controlled by India regarding foreign ship entry without permission.