President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Indian government has agreed to withdraw its soldiers from the Maldives. The president made the statement during a press conference at Velana International Airport (VIA) following his visits to Turkey and the UAE.
Formally requesting India to withdraw its military personnel on November 18, 2023, during a meeting with India's Minister of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju, President Dr. Muizzu emphasised his commitment to preserving the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives.
Following extensive efforts, the president stated that the Indian government has agreed to the withdrawal of its troops. Technical-level processes are currently underway, and an agreement has been reached to establish a high-level committee dedicated to resolving outstanding issues, added the president.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28, President Dr. Muizzu decided to form a co-group to strengthen relations with India. The president stressed that the withdrawal of Indian troops is being carried out in adherence to the principles of diplomacy.
President Dr. Muizzu highlighted his five meetings with Indian officials to discuss the withdrawal of troops, underlining the government's special priority in this matter.
The government had earlier indicated that 77 Indian troops were stationed in the Maldives, with roles ranging from operating helicopters to maintenance and engineering. Despite initial plans for the Maldivian troops to take over operations, the Indian Army has continued to manage these vehicles, establishing bases in both the north and south.
Moreover, the new administration has mentioned that over the last five years, more than 100 agreements on political relations have been signed between India and the Maldives.