India and China have agreed to expedite the withdrawal of troops from their disputed border in a bid to de-escalate the long-running standoff. The agreement came during a meeting between the foreign ministers of both countries, who emphasized the need for a swift resolution of outstanding border issues.
India has withdrawn all of its military personnel from the Maldives, concluding a diplomatic standoff between the two countries. The last remaining Indian soldiers departed the island nation shortly before the May 10 deadline set by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. The troop withdrawal was a key campaign pledge of Muizzu, who is considered to be pro-China. India had agreed to withdraw its troops in order to avoid escalating tensions. Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his Maldivian counterpart, Moosa Zameer, to discuss bilateral relations and regional security. The Maldives is a strategically important neighbor for India in the Indian Ocean Region.
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.
