The Maldives (Commonwealth Union)_ The newly elected president of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has articulated his firm determination to see the withdrawal of Indian troops from his nation. It was revealed that shortly after his electoral victory, President Muizzu engaged in a decisive meeting with the Indian ambassador, delivering a resolute message that left no room for ambiguity. He told all Indian military personnel in the Maldives to be removed. This move signals a significant shift in the historical dynamics between the two nations, as India has long exerted influence over the Maldives.
Mr. Muizzu’s electoral triumph was viewed as a setback for India due to the opposing stance of his predecessor, the incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Solih had been inclined to foster closer diplomatic relations with India since assuming office in 2018. The alliance supporting President Muizzu portrayed Solih’s pro-India policy as a potential threat to the Maldives’ sovereignty and security. Furthermore, Mr. Muizzu’s alliance has expressed a preference for stronger ties with China, a nation that has invested substantial amounts, hundreds of millions of dollars, in the Maldives through loans and grants for infrastructure and development initiatives.
President Muizzu has expressed concerns that the presence of Indian troops on the island nation could expose the Maldives to risks, particularly given the rising tensions between India and China along their Himalayan border. He emphasized that the Maldives, being relatively small, should avoid becoming entangled in the global power struggle that surrounds these two giants. He said, “Maldives is too small to get entangled in this global power struggle. We will not get entangled in this”.
The dispute over the removal of Indian troops was ignited by controversies surrounding gifts given by Delhi to the Maldives, including two helicopters provided in 2010 and 2013, as well as a small aircraft in 2020. Initially, India stated that these aircraft were intended for search and rescue missions and medical evacuations. However, in 2021, it was revealed that around 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives to operate and maintain these Indian aircraft, as confirmed by the Maldivian defense force. India has made a substantial investment of $2 billion in development assistance to the Maldives, reflecting its strategic interest in maintaining influence over these strategically located islands, which play a crucial role in monitoring a key segment of the Indian Ocean.
