India and Maldives discussed the Indian military withdrawal from the island at a high-level core group meeting in Male on January 19, 2024. In the meeting, both sides clarified their positions on this issue.
Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu has given time to Indian soldiers to leave the country till March 15, 2024. He said the presence of Indian troops is a violation of Maldives’ sovereignty.
India said it is committed to strengthening its bilateral relations with Maldives. However, India also told Maldives that there should be an agreement for the withdrawal of Indian troops.
Both sides issued a joint statement after the meeting. The statement said both sides were committed to reaching an agreement on Indian military withdrawal from the island.
Relations between India and Maldives have increased in recent months. Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu has committed to keeping his election promise of expelling Indian military personnel from his country.
Earlier this month, a controversy erupted on social media when a Maldivian minister and some other leaders made derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he posted a video of him at a pristine beach in Lakshadweep.
Mr Muizzu suspended three ministers after their social media postings, but this sparked concern in India and led to calls for a boycott by Indian tourists.
In the meeting held in Kampala, the foreign ministers of India and Maldives discussed the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. India said it is committed to strengthening its bilateral relations with the Maldives, but there must be an agreement for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel.
