Maldives Asks India to Withdraw Its Military Presence Before March 15 Amid Diplomatic Row

Male: Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has called for the Indian government to withdraw its military presence from the archipelago nation by March 15. This request follows strained relations between the two nations, sparked by derogatory comments made by Maldivian ministers targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

President Muizzu, who assumed office with a platform emphasizing reduced ties with India and increased engagement with China, officially requested India’s military withdrawal in November 2023. The small Indian military presence in the Maldives had been stationed at the request of the previous Maldivian government, primarily focused on maritime security and disaster relief.

In November, the Maldivian President’s office issued a statement emphasizing the democratic will of the people, citing the strong mandate given in the September Presidential Election. However, no specific deadline for troop withdrawal was proposed at that time.

The diplomatic rift escalated recently when Maldivian leaders, including serving ministers, made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. This led to sharp criticism from India, with calls for a boycott of the Maldives. India officially raised the issue with the Maldivian government, resulting in the suspension of three ministers – Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid – by the Muizzu administration.

In a recent development, following his China visit, President Muizzu asserted that no country has the right to “bully” the Maldives. While not directly referring to the India-Maldives issue, he emphasized that despite being a small nation, bullying should not be tolerated.