Second Batch Of Indian Soldiers Left The Country On 9 April:Maldives' President Muizzu

The second group of Indian military personnel, operating a helicopter gifted by India to the Maldives, has departed the island nation as requested by President Mohamed Muizzu as per a report by NDTV.

A vocal advocate for Maldivian sovereignty, President Muizzu emphasised that foreign ambassadors in Male hold no authority over him, asserting that ultimate power rests with the citizens.

President Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, reiterated his commitment to removing foreign soldiers from the Maldives, a promise he made during his election campaign last year.

Speaking at a campaign event for the ruling People's National Congress party candidates ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for 21 April, President Muizzu announced the withdrawal of the second Indian military contingent.

"The first team has already departed. Now, on 9 April, the soldiers from the second group have also left," President Muizzu stated, referencing his demand for the withdrawal of foreign soldiers.

He had previously set 10 March as the deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel.

Under an agreement between Maldives and India in February, New Delhi agreed to replace the Indian military personnel stationed in Maldives with trained civilians from India to oversee the operations of the gifted military aircraft.

President Muizzu confirmed that the Indian soldiers on the last aviation platform would also depart the Maldives before the 10 May deadline he had set, marking the fulfillment of his pledge to remove Indian soldiers from the island nation.

He did not specify the number of personnel in the second batch that left, nor did he clarify whether they were replaced by trained Indian civilians. The Maldives Defence Ministry and India have not commented on the latest withdrawal.

According to the Maldives government, 88 Indian soldiers were stationed in the Maldives, operating helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, along with doctors at the Senahiya military hospital.

Relations between Maldives and India have faced challenges since President Muizzu assumed power in November last year, with closer ties being maintained with China. President Muizzu's visit to China in January resulted in a defence cooperation agreement and various infrastructure development projects between China and the Maldives.

Despite these developments, the Maldives remains a key maritime neighbour for India in the Indian Ocean Region, playing a crucial role in initiatives such as 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the 'Neighbourhood First Policy' of the Indian government.