Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu sets a deadline, demanding India withdraw its troops by March 15

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu sets a deadline, demanding India withdraw its troops by March 15

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Defence

Context:

• According to the Maldives government, India has around 88 soldiers stationed in the  Maldives.
• New Delhi has maintained that most of them are technical staff, engaged predominantly in maintaining aircraft gifted by India.

Diplomatic Strain:

• India-Maldives High-Level Core Group meets; Indian statement focuses on finding a “mutually workable solution” for continued aviation operations.
• Muizzu’s consistent demand for troop withdrawal aligns with his past pledges and recent state visit to China, signalling evolving geopolitical dynamics.

India as a First Responder to the Maldives:

• It is a focal point for the Indian government’s priorities under the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy.’
• India’s swift response and immediate assistance during the 1988 coup attempt. The Indian Armed Forces acted promptly, executing Operation Cactus.
• India was the first to assist Maldives during the 2004 Tsunami as well as the water crisis in Malé in Dec 2014.
• India’s swift dispatch of 30,000 doses of measles vaccine in Jan 2020 to prevent an outbreak in the Maldives.
• Both nations are key players in maintaining the safety and security of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), thus contributing to India-led Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision.
• Defense cooperation extends to the areas of Joint Exercises – “Ekuverin”, “Dosti”, “Ekatha” and “Operation Shield”.