Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu had demanded that India withdraw its troops by March 15.
Now the Ministry of External Affairs said that the Indian soldiers present in Maldives will now be replaced by Indian technical staff. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told during the media briefing that the third round of talks between the two countries will be held soon.
It is believed that at least 75 Indian military personnel are in Maldives. These soldiers are deployed to transport patients from remote islands and to help people during any untoward incident on the seashore.
Recently, India had given Dornier airplane and two helicopters to Maldives. The technical staff will maintain these helicopters and ships in Maldives. After coming to power in Maldives last year, President Mohammed Muizzu took a tough stance against India.
Tension between India and Maldives has increased ever since the pro-China Muizzu came to power.
The Maldives Foreign Ministry said on January 2 that officials from the two countries met in New Delhi and agreed that India would begin withdrawing its troops from the Maldives from March.
After assuming power, most of Muizzu’s statements were controversial and were against India.
After visiting China, he said that just because we are small in size does not mean that we get license to bully someone. His comments came when Maldives ministers were facing public opposition for using abusive language against PM Modi.
The dispute between Maldives and India deepened after PM Modi shared pictures of himself strolling and snorkeling on the beach of Lakshadweep on Christmas Day. On this post, some ministers of Maldives used abusive words against PM Modi.
After which an uproar broke out. There was opposition to this in Maldives itself. Former President of Maldives Mohammed Nasheed also opposed it. Muizzu government woke up from its sleep after criticism from all sides. Muizzu government suspended three ministers who had written objectionable words against PM Modi on X.