India and Maldives held the fourth round of High-Level Core Group meetings, addressing the withdrawal of Indian military personnel by May 10th. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress made in this regard, with India agreeing to replace all military personnel by the deadline. The talks also covered defense cooperation and the presence of a Chinese vessel in Maldivian waters, with India emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding its national and economic security. Despite recent strains in the relationship, India continues to maintain a soft diplomatic approach and has invested heavily in various development projects in Maldives.