Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has declared that Indian military personnel overseeing the second aviation platform will be withdrawn “within the current month,” with the entire process expected to conclude by May 10, according to a media report released on Wednesday.
Muizzu’s statement comes in the wake of the departure of the first batch of approximately 25 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives, who were operating a helicopter gifted by India. They handed over the operations of the chopper to an Indian civilian crew as agreed upon ahead of the March 10 deadline.
Initially, 88 Indian military personnel were operating two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services in the Maldives.
Following a high-level meeting between the two countries in New Delhi on February 2, India agreed to replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10. The first batch left the island nation well before March 10.
According to the state-owned Public Service Media, Muizzu made the announcement during a public meeting, reiterating his commitment to maintaining Maldives’ independence and fulfilling promises made by his government.
Muizzu detailed that, in accordance with the agreements reached between the parties, the withdrawal process of Indian military personnel is already underway. He specified that troops stationed on the second platform will be withdrawn within the current month, while those on the third platform will be withdrawn by May 10, as reported by psmnews.mv.
A pro-China leader, Muizzu has consistently affirmed that no Indian military personnel, including those in civilian clothing, will remain in his country after May 10.
Last year, upon assuming office as President, Muizzu adopted an anti-India stance and promptly demanded the removal of Indian personnel from the strategically located island nation in the Indian Ocean.
Since assuming office in November, Muizzu has strengthened ties with Beijing, visiting China in January to meet with the country’s top leadership and solidify the Male-Beijing relationship.
Under Muizzu’s leadership, the Maldivian government has signed a defense agreement with the Chinese military, with the People’s Liberation Army set to assist the Maldivian security and defense forces.
In a recent development, the Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an Agriculture Economic Zone in the Maldives, reclaiming land from Uthuru Thila Falhu for sustainable agriculture purposes.
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