The Maldives has formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu formally made the request during a meeting with Minister of Earth Sciences of India Kiren Rijiju at the President’s Office. During the meeting, the President noted that during the presidential election, the Maldivian people gave him a strong mandate to make the request to India and expressed the hope that India will honour the democratic will of the people of the Maldives. He also acknowledged the significant role of the two helicopters in providing numerous emergency medical evacuations.
Additionally, President Dr Muizzu and Minister Kiren Rijiju reviewed the progress of the implementation of various projects in the Maldives with the support of India. The President emphasised the importance of accelerating the Greater Male' Connectivity Project (GMCP), highlighted the importance of addressing and overcoming the issues delaying the project.
Furthermore, Minister Rijiju expressed his aspiration to foster a constructive relationship with the Maldives, acknowledging the presence of a vibrant Indian community residing in the Maldives. President Dr Muizzu and Minister Kiren Rijiju concluded the meeting with a renewed commitment to fortify the bilateral relations between the two countries.