Maldives Asks India to Withdraw Troops, Sets March 15 Deadline; MEA Says 'Finding Mutually Workable Solution'

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has asked India to withdraw its military personnel from his country by March 15. This comes days after Muizzu’s high-profile state visit to China.

According to the latest government figures, there are 88 Indian military personnel in the Maldives.

In a press briefing, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary at the President’s Office, said that President Muizzu has formally asked India to withdraw its military personnel by March 15, the SunOnline newspaper reported.

“Indian military personnel cannot stay in the Maldives. This is the policy of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and that of this administration,” he added.

A high-level core group to negotiate the withdrawal of troops held its first meeting at the Foreign Ministry Headquarters in Male’ on Sunday morning. The meeting was also attended by Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar, the report said. Nazim confirmed the meeting and said the agenda for the meeting was the request to withdraw troops by March 15.