Indian Troops Withdrawal from Maldives

• 05 Dec 2023

Following Maldives President statement that India had agreed to withdraw its troops from the island nation two days after a meeting with the Indian Prime Minister, Indian officials contested the assertion, asserting that no final decision has been reached and that on-going discussions are still in progress.

• President of Maldives, during his election campaign, pledged to remove Indian troops, citing concerns about sovereignty. A formal request was made after his inauguration.

Key Points

• COP Summit Meeting: Indian Prime Minister and Maldivian President met on the sidelines of the COP 28 summit in Dubai on December 1, initiating discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
• Formation of Core Group: Both nations announced the establishment of a 'core group' or 'high-level committee' to enhance bilateral cooperation, addressing various aspects, including development projects.
• President Claim: Maldives President claimed that an agreement had been reached to withdraw Indian military personnel, citing on-going technical progress. He emphasized constructive dialogues with the Indian government.
• Indian Response: Indian officials disputed the claim, asserting that discussions in Dubai briefly touched upon the status of Indian platforms engaged in humanitarian activities in the Maldives. They clarified that the focus was on operational aspects, not solely on development projects.
• Operational Considerations: Indian sources highlighted the ongoing discussions on the continued operational use of Indian helicopters and a Dornier aircraft stationed in the Maldives for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities.
• Bilateral Development Partnership: Indian sources contested the notion that the bilateral panel's primary focus was only on development projects.
• They clarified that the core objective was to find solutions to keep the Indian platforms operational.