Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has firmly declared that no Indian military personnel, including those in civilian attire, will remain within his country’s borders after May 10, according to a recent media report.
Muizzu’s announcement follows the arrival of an Indian civilian team in the Maldives, tasked with assuming control of one of the nation’s aviation platforms, well ahead of the agreed-upon March 10 deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel.
Speaking to residents of the Baa atoll Eydhafushi community during a tour, Muizzu emphasized his government’s success in expelling Indian troops, dismissing rumors suggesting otherwise as false and misleading.
He affirmed that come May 10, there will be no Indian troops present in any form, directly contradicting claims of their return in civilian clothing.
This assertion comes amidst the signing of a military aid agreement with China.
Recent developments stem from a high-level meeting in Delhi last month, where the Maldivian foreign ministry confirmed India’s commitment to replace military personnel operating the nation’s aviation platforms by May 10.
Muizzu, known for his anti-India stance, reiterated his position during his inaugural parliamentary address.
Despite opposition criticism and concerns regarding the departure of Indian military personnel, the Maldives has secured alternative arrangements for medical evacuations with Sri Lanka, signaling its determination to remove all Indian troops.
Muizzu emphasized the importance of reclaiming maritime territories and criticized past implementation procedures that bypassed parliamentary approval, deeming them unconstitutional.
Given its strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region, the Maldives holds significant geopolitical importance, particularly in India’s maritime initiatives such as SAGAR and the Neighbourhood First Policy. (With PTI Inputs)