The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): India has withdrawn 51 of its soldiers from the Maldives ahead of the May 10 deadline set by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu for the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel. This move follows an earlier announcement by the Maldivian government regarding the departure of two batches of Indian soldiers, although the exact number was not disclosed until now.
Heena Waleed, the Chief Spokesperson of the President’s Office, stated on Monday that a total of 51 Indian soldiers had been repatriated. “All Indian military personnel in the country will be withdrawn from the Maldives by May 10. As of now, 51 soldiers stationed at two platforms have been repatriated,” she was quoted as saying by Edition.mv news portal. However, she did not disclose the total number of Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives, indicating that these details would be shared later, as reported by Sun.mv.
Previously, the Maldivian government had announced that 88 Indian soldiers were stationed in the country to operate two helicopters, a Dornier aircraft, and at the Senahiya military hospital. These aviation assets were gifted by India.
President Muizzu, seen as a pro-China leader, had campaigned on the promise of repatriating Indian military personnel from the Maldives. Consequently, India has begun withdrawing its military personnel, replacing them with Indian civilian technical experts. Both countries have agreed to complete the withdrawal before the May 10 deadline.
The fourth meeting of the bilateral high-level core group was held in New Delhi on May 3, where both sides expressed satisfaction with the ongoing logistical arrangements. The Maldivian foreign ministry confirmed that the Indian government would replace military personnel at the last of the three aviation platforms by May 10.
Reports indicate that two batches of Indian soldiers, including those operating helicopters in Addu and the Dornier aircraft in Haa Dhaal Hanimaadhoo, have already left the Maldives. Indian civilian personnel have arrived in these areas to replace the military personnel.
The Maldives is a key maritime neighbor for India in the Indian Ocean Region and holds a significant place in India’s initiatives like ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Modi government’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.