The process of withdrawal of Indian soldiers from Maldives has started.
According to local media reports, India has taken this step a few weeks after the statement of Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu.
A report regarding this has been published in Maldivian newspaper Mihaaru. It was reported that 25 Indian soldiers deployed in the southernmost atoll of Addu left the Maldives on Sunday.
However, no official statement has come yet from Maldives or Indian authorities regarding this.
Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu was seen intensifying his anti-India rhetoric just a few days ago. He said that after May 10, not a single Indian military personnel will be present in his country, not even in plain clothes.
This statement of Muizzu came when the Indian civilian team had reached Maldives some time ago to replace the military personnel operating the light helicopters.
Muizzu had set March 10 as the deadline for the return of the first group of Indian military personnel from the country. He said that false rumors were being spread because of his government’s success in expelling Indian soldiers from the country. People are distorting the current situation.
Operation of 2 helicopters and 1 aircraft
It is noteworthy that Muizzu is considered pro-China. Maldives has recently signed an agreement with China to receive free military assistance. On February 2, a high level meeting was held between the two sides in Delhi.
During this, the Foreign Ministry of Maldives said that India will replace its military personnel in 3 aviation platforms in this island country and the first phase of this process will be completed by March 10. Till a few days ago, 88 Indian military personnel were present in Maldives.
These were mainly deployed to operate 2 helicopters and 1 aircraft. Through these, hundreds of medical rescue and humanitarian aid missions have been completed.
Now Maldives has signed an agreement with Sri Lanka to operate aircraft for medical rescue missions. This indicated that he was bent on removing all Indian troops.