Malay, In a significant shift in its foreign policy, India has agreed to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives. This decision comes after the newly elected President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, campaigned to revise the country’s “India first” policy and called for the removal of Indian troops stationed in the archipelago.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the decision marks a turnaround for India, which had maintained a small military presence in the Maldives, primarily for the purpose of providing military equipment, disaster response assistance, and aiding in naval dockyard construction. The Indian military deployment in the Maldives had been a point of contention, particularly under President Muizzu’s administration, which won the presidential election on a platform of changing the nation’s foreign policy orientation.

President Muizzu confirmed the agreement for troop withdrawal during discussions with Indian officials on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit. He also announced the establishment of a high-level committee to address development project issues between the two countries.

The news of the withdrawal has significant implications for regional dynamics, especially considering the ongoing rivalry for influence in the Indian Ocean between India and China. The coalition supporting President Muizzu is perceived to have a closer alignment with China, potentially impacting the strategic balance in the region.