- Tuesday, February 25, 2025
India’s relations with the Maldives have come under stress after the latter’s newly elected president, Mohamed Muizzu, seen as pro-China.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA’S Narendra Modi government has not instructed its defence personnel to withdraw from the Maldives, the chief of the country’s navy on Thursday (25) said amid the ongoing diplomatic row between New Delhi and Male.
Speaking to CNN-News18, Admiral R Hari Kumar said they were yet to get any communication related to the matter yet. He said this when asked about the return of the defence personnel from the Indian Ocean archipelago.
India’s relations with the Maldives have come under stress after the latter’s newly elected president, Mohamed Muizzu, asked New Delhi to pull out its troops by March 15. Muizzu, who took over in November, is widely seen as pro-China and wants to put an end to his country’s ‘India First’ policy despite facing criticism from his domestic opposition.
Last week, Indian external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar spoke with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer on the sidelines of the Non Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda, the duo had a “frank conversation” and committed to further strengthening ties between the two maritime neighbours.
Read: We may be small, but that doesn’t give you license to bully us: Maldives’ Muizzu amid India row
A contingent of around 80 Indian soldiers are stationed in the Maldives to provide support for military equipment that New Delhi provided to Male besides other humanitarian activities.
Read: Can’t guarantee every country will support India: Foreign minister Jaishankar amid Maldives row
Earlier this month, a major row erupted when a few now suspended officials of the Maldives government criticised prime minister Modi and India after the Indian leader promoted the island chains of Lakshadweep. The issue saw a sharp reaction from Indians who gave a call for boycotting the Maldives, which sees a massive number of tourists visiting it from India every year.
