MALE: As the strategically positioned archipelago fortifies ties with China, the Maldives have reported that India has withdrawn more than half of its troops stationed in its territory ahead of a Friday deadline.
The electoral victory of pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu last year was largely dependent on his promise to lessen India’s political influence in the island country.
Upon taking power, he pledged to dissolve the 89-man Indian military garrison that was stationed to guard the country’s maritime border, which consists of 1,192 tiny coral islands dispersed over 800 kilometers (500 miles) on each side of the equator.
Reporters in the nation’s capital, Male, were informed by a Muizzu spokesperson that 51 Indian military troops had departed by Monday. Heena Waleed stated on Monday night, “As of now, 51 soldiers stationed at two platforms have been repatriated.”
“By May 10, all Indian military personnel in the nation will leave the Maldives.” Breaking the custom of new Maldivian leaders visiting India first, Muizzu’s first state visit as president was to China.
He has signed a number of accords with Beijing to strengthen commercial and bilateral relationships, excluding India, which the Chinese believe to be under its area of influence. Just as the Indian force was about to withdraw, the Maldives and China inked a “military assistance” agreement in March.
The agreement would promote “stronger bilateral ties,” according to the Maldivian defense ministry, and China would provide staff training as part of the agreement. China’s increasing influence in the Maldives and its expanding footprint in the Indian Ocean are causes for concern for India.
Since Muizzu assumed administration, ties between the Maldives and India have cooled.
