India Commences Withdrawing Military Personnel Operating Aircraft In Maldives Following Diktat From Pro-China President Muizzu

India has commenced the withdrawal of its military personnel operating surveillance aircraft in the Maldives following an order from the new pro-China president.

According to a report from NDTV, on Tuesday (12 March), 25 Indian troops stationed in the southernmost atoll of Addu departed the archipelago ahead of the agreed-upon withdrawal timeline starting 10 March.

President Mohamed Muizzu, who took office in September, vowed to remove Indian security personnel deployed in the Maldives to patrol its extensive maritime border.

Following discussions with New Delhi, both sides agreed to complete the withdrawal of 89 Indian troops and their support staff from the nation of 1,192 tiny coral islands by 10 May.

As per the same report, the three Indian aircraft - two helicopters and one fixed-wing plane - will now be operated by Indian civilian staff, who have already arrived.

Last week, the Maldives signed a "military assistance" agreement with China as Indian personnel prepared to depart.

The Maldivian defence ministry stated that the agreement was aimed at fostering "stronger bilateral ties" and that China would provide training to its staff under this pact.

India has expressed concerns about China's expanding presence in the Indian Ocean and its influence in the Maldives and neighbouring Sri Lanka.

Both South Asian island nations are strategically located halfway along crucial east-west international shipping routes.

Relations between Maldives and New Delhi have cooled since Muizzu's election victory in September.

India views the Indian Ocean Archipelago as within its sphere of influence, but the Maldives has moved closer to China, its largest external creditor.

Muizzu, who visited Beijing in January and signed numerous infrastructure, energy, marine, and agricultural agreements, previously denied intentions to alter the regional balance by bringing in Chinese forces to replace Indian troops.

Last month, India announced it was strengthening its naval presence on its "strategically important" Lakshadweep islands, located about 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of the Maldives.

The Indian naval unit stationed on the island of Minicoy will enhance "operational surveillance" of the area, the navy stated.

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