India has withdrawn its military personnel from Maldives following a request by President Mohamed Muizzu, marking a significant shift in diplomatic relations between the two countries. Muizzu, who has aligned Maldives more closely with China, had previously asked India to remove its troops from the island nation, seeking to replace them with civilian personnel. This move reflects growing tensions between India and Maldives, with Muizzu accusing India of compromising national sovereignty during the tenure of his predecessor.
At least 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives, engaged in operations such as marine surveillance, search-and-rescue, and medical evacuation. Muizzu’s request for their withdrawal coincided with a visit to India by Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, the first visit by a senior official since Muizzu took office last year. Tensions between India and Maldives have grown since Muizzu, a pro-China leader, came to power. He has prioritized strengthening ties with China and has sidelined India in several projects.
India has provided significant development assistance to Maldives, including infrastructure projects, medical care, and health facilities. However, Muizzu’s government has entered several agreements with China to boost economic ties, including a military assistance pact and allowing a Chinese research vessel to dock at its port. India had expressed concerns about growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region.
The withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives underscores the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region, with India and China competing for influence in the strategically located island nation.
