Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel from the country by March 15, according to a senior official in Male. This request comes almost two months after Maldives initially sought the removal of Indian military personnel.
“Indian military personnel cannot stay in the Maldives. This is the policy of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and that of this administration,” Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary at the President’s Office, said. Maldives and India have set up a high-level core group to negotiate the withdrawal of troops.
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How many Indian troops are in the Maldives?
According to the most recent government figures, 88 Indian military personnel are currently stationed in the Maldives. India has deployed soldiers to the Maldives on multiple occasions to train Maldivian troops, engaging in both combat and reconnaissance, as well as participating in rescue-aid operations. Despite their involvement, some Maldivian nationals, including politicians, have actively protested against their presence in any capacity in the country.
Why are India’s troops in Maldives?
India and the Maldives have a long history of cooperation in a variety of areas, including defence. The one time India’s soldiers entered the island for an actual military operation was in November 1988 — to thwart an attempted coup, at the request of the government of then President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. In a quick operation, Indian troops managed to secure the President and capture the rebels. In the three decades since, Maldives has generally appreciated India’s role in this episode.
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