India withdraws soldiers from Maldives as confirmed by President Muizzu’s spokesperson.
Indian military personnel, tasked with operating and maintaining two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft gifted by India, were stationed in the Maldives until their recent withdrawal.
India has withdrawn all its soldiers from the Maldives, as confirmed by the government, in accordance with the May 10 deadline set by President Mohamed Muizzu for the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the country. President Muizzu, who is widely perceived as a pro-China leader, had set May 10 as the deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Repatriating some 90 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives was a significant commitment of Muizzu during his presidential campaign last year.
The last batch of Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives has now been repatriated, according to Heena Waleed, President’s Office Chief Spokesperson, who confirmed this to the Sun.mv news portal. However, she did not provide specific numbers regarding the Indian soldiers involved. Waleed mentioned that further details about the number of soldiers stationed would be disclosed later.
The withdrawal of Indian soldiers marks a significant development in the geopolitical landscape of the Indian Ocean region. India’s presence in the Maldives had been a subject of contention, particularly given President Muizzu’s alignment with China. Muizzu’s decision to set a deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel underscores his administration’s efforts to assert its sovereignty and reduce reliance on Indian military support.
The repatriation of Indian soldiers also reflects a broader shift in the Maldives’ foreign policy, which has seen the government diversifying its international partnerships beyond traditional allies like India. Muizzu’s presidency has witnessed a notable warming of ties with China, evident in the signing of various economic and infrastructure agreements between the two countries.
The withdrawal of Indian soldiers comes amidst growing concerns among some Maldivians regarding the extent of Indian influence in their country’s affairs. Critics of India’s military presence have argued that it undermines the Maldives’ sovereignty and perpetuates a dependency relationship between the two nations. However, supporters of the withdrawal view it as a positive step towards asserting Maldivian autonomy and fostering greater self-reliance.
The repatriation of Indian soldiers is expected to have implications for regional security dynamics, particularly in light of China’s expanding presence in the Indian Ocean. China has been steadily increasing its economic and strategic investments in the Maldives, including infrastructure projects and maritime cooperation initiatives. The withdrawal of Indian military personnel may provide China with an opportunity to further strengthen its influence in the region.
Despite the withdrawal of Indian soldiers, India-Maldives relations are likely to remain significant, given their geographical proximity and historical ties. Both countries have expressed a commitment to maintaining friendly and cooperative relations, notwithstanding occasional tensions. The completion of the withdrawal process marks a milestone in bilateral relations and opens up new avenues for cooperation and engagement between India and the Maldives in the future.
The presence of Indian military personnel in the Maldives, tasked with operating and maintaining two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft gifted by India, has been a subject of recent developments. Earlier, the Maldives government announced the repatriation of 51 of these soldiers to India on Monday. This decision came after official documents revealed the presence of 89 Indian soldiers in the Maldives.
India and the Maldives had previously agreed to withdraw the remaining Indian troops before May 10. In line with this agreement, the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated during a media briefing in New Delhi that the first and second batches of Indian personnel had returned to India. Jaiswal further mentioned that competent Indian technical personnel had been deputed to operate the three Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives.
The timing of these developments coincided with the visit of Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer to India. Zameer held discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on bilateral ties and regional security issues. These discussions were described as “extensive,” indicating the importance of the relationship between the two countries.
The strain in relations between India and the Maldives emerged as President Muizzu insisted on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel operating the three military platforms in the island nation. This insistence reflected broader tensions regarding sovereignty and regional influence.
The Maldives holds significance for India as a key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region. It occupies a special place in India’s strategic initiatives like ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ of the Modi government. These initiatives underline India’s commitment to fostering stability and prosperity in the region through collaborative efforts with neighboring countries.
The withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives marks a significant development in bilateral relations. While it may alleviate some tensions, it also raises questions about the future dynamics of security cooperation between the two countries. Both India and the Maldives are likely to continue engaging in dialogue to address mutual concerns and strengthen their partnership in various fields, including security, trade, and development.