India has complied with a request from Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to withdraw its military forces from the archipelago, highlighting a shift in the strategic landscape of the region towards closer ties with China.
Indian troops, along with two helicopters and an aircraft, had been actively engaged in various operations including marine surveillance, search-and-rescue missions, and medical evacuations across the Maldivian islands.
India has replaced some 80 soldiers in the Maldives with civilians after a demand by President Mohamed Muizzu who has pivoted the archipelago’s ties towards China, New Delhi officials said on Thursday.
The announcement of India's military exit coincided with the visit of Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer to India, marking the first high-level engagement since Muizzu assumed office in November last year.
During a meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Maldives in New Delhi, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stressed on India's role as a major provider of development aid to Maldives, encompassing infrastructure projects, medical care, and health facilities.
"It is imperative that we establish a mutually beneficial understanding to propel our bilateral relations forward," stated Jaishankar, as quoted in a statement released by India's External Affairs Ministry.
Tensions between India and Maldives have been escalating since Muizzu, perceived as pro-China, ascended to power last year. Muizzu's administration swiftly demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops from the archipelago by May 10, signalling a desire to recalibrate foreign policy priorities in favour of stronger ties with China.
Running on a campaign platform of "India out," Muizzu accused his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty by granting India undue influence.
Following his assumption of office, Muizzu visited China before India, underscoring Maldives' determination to assert its sovereignty on the international stage.
With India and China vying for influence in the strategically significant Maldives, Muizzu's government has forged multiple agreements with China aimed at bolstering economic cooperation, while sidelining India in various developmental projects.
These agreements include a military assistance pact signed with China in March, alongside the docking of a Chinese research vessel at a Maldivian port, marking a notable shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Indian Ocean region.
Despite these developments, India remains committed to assisting the Maldives in various developmental endeavours, including the construction of homes and infrastructure projects.
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