Maldivian President Muizzoo said that India has agreed to remove its soldiers from the island country after their meeting with Modi in Dubai

 Maldivian President Muizzoo said that India has agreed to remove its soldiers from the island country after their meeting with Modi in Dubai

Maldivian President Muizzoo said that India has agreed to remove its soldiers from the island country after their meeting with Modi in Dubai

The "India Out" campaign by the MUIZ alliance revolved on this contentious subject.

Two days after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on not participating of the COP28 climate conference, Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu declared on Sunday that India would support the Maldives' new decision to withdraw approximately 75 Indian military personnel stationed on the islands to work on humanitarian operations. The request from the government has been granted. meeting in Dubai. The action will dismay New Delhi, which is pleading with the Maldives to "look in proper perspective" at the usefulness of Indian forces in the Maldives. Mr. Muizzoo demanded the move during his "India Out" election campaign slogan.

The Office of the President of the Maldives tweeted earlier in the day, upon Mr. Muizzoo's return, "The Government of India has promised the people of Maldives that it would honor their decision regarding the withdrawal of Indian troops away from Maldives." in regard to his news conference. United Arab Emirates. Mr. Muizzu's assertion was denied by government officials on Sunday, who said that talks were still "ongoing" and that the "core group" that was formed after the meeting between Modi and Muizzu will investigate all relevant matters about the 75 Indian sailors who are now serving in the Indian Navy. Is it appropriate to halt developments in the Maldives?

In response to this event, the Foreign Ministry remained silent. Sources said that at the leaders' meeting in Dubai, the topic of India's platforms and staff members working on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) programs had been "briefly discussed". Notably, the topic was not specifically addressed in the readout released by the two governments after Friday's meetings between President Muizzu and Prime Minister Modi, which marked the latter's first encounter since taking office. Indian forces in the Maldives was brought up by the Maldives Presidency, which claimed to have spoken about collaboration on issues of "concern and sensitivity to the people of Maldives". Despite meeting with Mr. Modi, Mr. Muizzu's comments on Sunday suggested that he was not prepared to back down from his demand. Since Mr. Muizzoo's victory in the October presidential election and the removal of previous President Ibu Solih, who was seen as being more sympathetic to India, and his repeated pledge to "ensure the sovereignty of the Maldives," the subject of Indian servicemen has been contentious. will carry out his campaign pledge.

According to government sources, HADR activities are presently a "important segment" of the bilateral development relationship. HADR operations need Indian staff to manage and maintain.

"As recognized in the talks, the continued utility of Indian platforms needs to be seen in proper perspective," sources stated in response to Mr. Muizzu's comments. "The question of how to maintain them is still up for debate. The core committee that has been agreed upon by both parties will investigate the best course of action.

It is unclear if the Maldives government would carry out its intention to request that all Indian employees leave Addu Island, where the majority of them are employed, in spite of Mr. Muizzu's remarks. Additionally, the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen halted the renewal of any Indian military personnel's visas, and he asked that all of them leave the Maldives. After months of talks, the staff was eventually permitted to remain, and they have since carried out a number of vital operations to free the imprisoned and save lives, as well as to provide food and water. Returning the staff would be seen as a betrayal of India and a sign that President Muizu's relationship with New Delhi would be more difficult than it was under Mr. Solih's "India first" strategy. India was similarly taken aback by President Muizzu's first-ever bilateral visit to Turkey last week.