Last of Indian troops to be withdrawn by May 10
Both sides shed light on a wide range of issues of mutual interest
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The last of the remaining Indian troops in the Maldives, will be withdrawn from the Maldives by May 10.
This was discussed, during the fourth meeting of the High-level Core Group between the Maldives and India.
The meeting took place at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on 3 May 2024.
The existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries, was reviewed during the discussions.
Both sides shed light on a wide range of issues of mutual interest including development and defence cooperation.
It was revealed that the Indian military personnel at the last of the three aviation platforms in the Maldives, would be withdrawn by 10 May 2024.
Currently, all the logistical arrangements are underway, in accordance with the schedule.
The third meeting of the High-level Core Group between the Maldives and India was held on 17 March 2024 in which discussions were held on the progress that has been made in efforts to replace Indian military personnel with Maldivian officers, at the aviation platforms of the island nation.
By March 10, all Indian troops in southernmost Addu City were withdrawn. Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) revealed that all the Indian military personnel stationed in Addu left in different groups.
Troops from one more platform were withdrawn on 10 April 2024.
The fourth meeting of the High-Level Core Group is to be held in Malé City on a mutually agreeable date during June or July.
The governments of Maldives and India agreed that India would withdraw the military personnel in one of the three aviation platform by 10 March 2024, during the second meeting of the high-level core group between the Maldives and India. The second meeting was held at the Ministry of External Affairs, in New Delhi on 2 February 2024.
During his first-ever presidential address delivered to the public at the inaugural sitting of the first People’s Majlis session of 2024, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that the governments of India and Maldives agreed to complete the process of withdrawing military personnel by 10 May 2024.
The president noted back then that efforts were underway to evacuate Indian military personnel from the Maldives, and this was being done through dialogue and discussions from both sides, under diplomatic rules.
26 soldiers were sent to Maldives by India to take over the helicopter operations, in February 2023.
Stressing on the need to increase resources for the defence and security of the island nation, the president earlier said that there was a need to enhance the archipelago nation’s capabilities to defend itself by land, sea, and air routes.
The president noted that the biggest pledge he made was to protect the sovereignty and independence of the Maldivian people.
