Male, Maldives, The President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has officially requested India to withdraw its nearly 100 troops from the archipelago by March 15. This development follows Muizzu’s recent trip to China, where he signed several agreements, signaling a deeper alignment with Beijing.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the March deadline for the withdrawal of Indian troops was set during discussions with Indian officials in the Maldives on Sunday. Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim,

Maldives President Demands India Withdraw Troops by March Amid Growing China Ties

The President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has officially requested India to withdraw its nearly 100 troops from the archipelago by March 15. This development follows Muizzu’s recent trip to China, where he signed several agreements, signaling a deeper alignment with Beijing.

The March deadline for the withdrawal of Indian troops was set during discussions with Indian officials in the Maldives on Sunday. Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the Public Policy Secretary for President Muizzu, informed reporters that this request was made at a high-level committee meeting between the two nations. The decision is in line with Muizzu’s long-standing election pledge and is currently under consideration by the Indian side.

India has maintained a deployment of about 89 personnel in the Maldives, including medical staff, primarily for operating aircraft to patrol the archipelago’s maritime territory. President Muizzu, who assumed power in September after vowing to remove Indian forces, has emphasized the Maldives’ sovereignty and independence, asserting that the country will not be bullied despite its size.

Muizzu’s remarks indicate a shift in the Maldives’ foreign policy, particularly towards China, the nation’s largest external creditor. His statement in the Dhivehi language, as reported by the Mihaaru newspaper, highlighted that China respects the territorial integrity policy of the Maldives, a stance that contrasts with the Maldives’ historical ties with India.

This request for troop withdrawal marks a significant moment in the ongoing tussle for influence in the Indian Ocean region between Beijing and New Delhi. While President Muizzu has denied intentions to replace Indian troops with Chinese forces, his administration’s growing closeness with Beijing indicates a potential shift in the regional power dynamics.