Indian troops begin withdrawal from Maldives

Indian troops stationed in the Maldives have begun withdrawing from the island nation, its defence authorities said, in line with President Mohamed Muizzu’s ‘India out’ promise to his supporters.

“We can confirm that the Indian troop withdrawal is underway,” the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said in a statement to news agency AFP on Tuesday, confirming the development.

Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs said a technical team from India had reached the Maldives to replace the troops stationed to operate the India-gifted aircraft and choppers.

The deployment of a technical crew indicated that Male and New Delhi had reached a compromise after many rounds of bilateral discussion following Mr. Muizzu’s relentless demand that Indian troops leave the island nation.

According to local media reports in the Maldives, some 25 Indian troops deployed in the southernmost atoll of Addu have left the archipelago ahead of the March 10 deadline.

The remaining military personnel are expected to pull out in batches, before May 10, according to an earlier announcement from the Maldives Foreign Ministry.