India has started pulling back its military personnel operating surveillance aircraft in the Maldives following the order of the new pro-China president, Mohamed Muizzu. The Mihaaru newspaper reported that 25 Indian troops stationed in the southernmost atoll of Addu have left ahead of the agreed-upon deadline of March 10 for the withdrawal.
President Muizzu, who took office in September, had pledged to remove Indian security personnel responsible for patrolling the Maldives’ extensive maritime border. After discussions with New Delhi, both sides agreed to complete the withdrawal of 89 Indian troops and their support staff from the island nation consisting of 1,192 tiny coral islands by May 10.
According to Mihaaru, three Indian aircraft, including two helicopters and one fixed-wing plane, will now be operated by Indian civilian staff who have already arrived. Although there hasn’t been official confirmation from either the Maldivian or Indian authorities, Mihaaru reported that the Maldivian National Defence Force confirmed the initiation of the Indian withdrawal.
Last week, the Maldives signed a “military assistance” deal with China, coinciding with the departure of Indian forces. The Maldivian defence ministry stated that the agreement aimed to strengthen bilateral ties, with China providing training under the pact.
India has been wary of China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean and its influence in the Maldives and neighboring Sri Lanka. Both island nations are strategically positioned along crucial east-west international shipping routes.
Relations between Male (the capital of the Maldives) and New Delhi have cooled since President Muizzu’s election. While India traditionally considers the Indian Ocean archipelago within its sphere of influence, the Maldives has shifted towards China, its largest external creditor. President Muizzu, who visited Beijing in January, signed various infrastructure, energy, marine, and agricultural deals, denying any intention to replace Indian troops with Chinese forces.
In response, India announced last month that it would reinforce its naval forces on the strategically important Lakshadweep islands, situated approximately 130 kilometers north of the Maldives. The Indian naval unit based on the island of Minicoy aims to enhance operational surveillance in the region, according to the navy.
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