A batch of 25 Indian troops left Maldives following the arrival of the civilian staff.
India began withdrawing military personnel operating surveillance aircraft in the Maldives on Tuesday, news agency said citing Maldivian Government authorities.
The Maldives said that the date of the withdrawal was discussed with India earlier. “We can confirm that the Indian troop withdrawal is underway,” the MNDF said in a statement.
China-backer Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu who rose to power using an anti-India plank promised during his elections that he will remove the Indian Security personnel deployed in the Maldives. The Indian Security personnel were working together with the Maldivian Government in various projects.
However, the Muizzu Government demanded that the military personnel leave due to which 89 Indian troops and their support staff in the Maldives are expected to leave by May 10. The two helicopters and one fixed-wing plane — will be operated by Indian civilian staff, who have already arrived.
Soon after exiting a hydrography agreement with India, the atoll nation signed a ‘military assistance’ deal with China as the Indians prepared to leave. The Maldivian Defence Ministry said the deal was to foster ‘stronger bilateral ties’ and that China would train its staff under the pact.
“We support the Maldives in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty,” China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday.
“We also support the Maldives in developing friendly exchanges and cooperation with all parties on the basis of its independence and autonomy.” (News18)
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