Indian military begins exit from Maldives after pro-China president's order
Mint Explainer: What’s behind Maldives’ new defence pact with China In January this year, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu asked India to withdraw its military from the archipelago island by 15 March. Muizzu swept into power in September on a campaign to reduce India’s influence on the island. Muizzu is known to share a closer relationship with China.
Both India and China have alternatively vied for influence in the tiny island country, investing heavily in upgrading the Maldives’ infrastructure and extending loans to it. ‘No Indian troops to remain in Maldives, not even in civilian clothing,’ says president Mohamed Muizzu Maldives is India's key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and occupies a special place in its initiatives like SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy' of the Narendra Modi-led central government. India-Maldives row: Why does Maldives want Indian troops out | Explainer India operates and maintains radars, helicopters, and aircraft in the Maldives, some of which are used for medical evacuations.
The Indian Navy also patrols Indian Ocean waters. Currently, there are around 70 Indian military personnel in the Maldives. As many as 24 military personnel manage the first helicopter, 25 personnel manage the Dornier aircraft, 26 manage the second helicopter and two look after maintenance and engineering.
Last week Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu asserted that no Indian military personnel, including those in civilian attire, will be permitted in his country after May 10. Maldives and China have signed an agreement paving the way for greater Chinese military assistance to Male. Since assuming the office, Muizzu has been keen on strengthening
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