Maldives gives India deadline to withdraw troops

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The Maldives has given India until mid-March to withdraw its troops from the archipelago nation, as its new pro-China president draws closer to Beijing.

The notice follows a five-day visit by Mohamed Muizzu to China on his first foreign trip since taking office. Muizzu won last year’s election after campaigning on an “India Out” platform.

Indian and Maldivian officials held talks in the capital Male on Sunday in which “both sides expressed willingness to intensify co-operation and agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel”, the Maldives ministry of foreign affairs said, adding that the talks were ongoing and the two sides would meet again “at a mutually convenient time”.

Ahmed Nazim, policy director at Muizzu’s office, told AP and Reuters that the Maldivian delegation proposed the removal of Indian troops by March 15 on the president’s behalf. 

India has about 75 troops in the Maldives and operates two helicopters, used in part for medical evacuations, in addition to operating radar equipment and naval patrols on its territory.

Muizzu’s call for withdrawal comes against a backdrop of tensions between New Delhi and Beijing over their disputed border and respective influence in India’s backyard.

The Maldives’ push for India to pull out its small contingent has in recent weeks sparked heated online commentary,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 4 posted pictures of himself meeting residents, strolling on beaches, and snorkelling in India’s Lakshadweep islands, off the coast of India’s southern Kerala state.

In a post on X, the Indian leader described Lakshadweep as “mesmerising” and declared: “For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list.”

The post angered some in the tourism-dependent Maldives, who saw Modi’s intervention as an attempt…