Following strained relations with Maldives, India is ready to discuss the withdrawal plan of Indian troops during the high-level Core Group talks to be held next month.
Let us tell you that two ALH helicopters, one Dornier and one Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) are deployed in Maldives. Indian soldiers are also present there for their operation.
The President of Maldives had recently appealed to India to withdraw its troops from there.
However, India has not yet officially responded to the demand of President Mohammad Muizzu government. The President has said that India should withdraw its troops by March 15, two days before the important Majlis elections on March 17.
In the first meeting of the Core Group on 14 and 15 January, Maldives representative Ali Naseer had asked Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Munu Mahavar to send civilians in place of troops by 15 March.
Two ALHs, one Dornier aircraft and one OPV are currently deployed in Maldives. Everyone has been stopped for the time being. President Muizu has intensified the anti-India campaign before the Majlis elections.
The situation in the Maldives has become more stark after Muizzu’s party lost the Male mayoral election to the Maldivian Democratic Party on 14 January. Let us tell you that the Maldivian Democratic Party wants to maintain relations with India.
With Xi Jinping’s government looking to staff private companies in Singapore, Muizu may seek support from Beijing to replace Indian assets with Chinese assets, according to people familiar with the matter.
However, this move may cause a loss of more than 10 million dollars to Muizu. It will not be easy for the Maldivian economy, which is struggling with cash crunch, to tolerate this. Maldives’ debt to China and India is 30% and 10% of its GDP respectively. It has to pay 100 million dollars to India this year.
The only important issue raised by Male during the talks was the withdrawal of defense personnel. There was no discussion on the Greater Male Connectivity Project, funded and managed by India.
Let us tell you that this is the biggest infrastructure project started in Maldives. The project is funded under a $100 million grant and $400 million line of credit from India.
The project envisages a 6.74 km long bridge and causeway link that will connect Male with the adjacent islands of Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.