Maldives issues March deadline to withdraw Indian military

New Delhi : Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has asked India to draw its military personnel from Maldives by March 15, according to a news agency. This comes nearly two months after Malay had sought removal of Indian troops from their land. According to government figures, there are nearly 88 military Indian personnel in Maldives. 

According to a report, Maldivian president’s office, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has formally asked India to remove their military personnel by March 15, 2024.

Mohamed Muizzu, who is also known as a pro-China leader and the president of Maldives, had formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel from the country soon after taking the oath in November. He had then said it is the strong mandate from Maldives people which he is requesting to New Delhi.

Interestingly, his comments came at a time when India and Maldives are facing a controversy after a bunch of Deputy Ministers of Maldivian government had released statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep island in India.

The comments had erupted a social media war amongst people with a call to boycott travelling to Maldives. Meanwhile, during his recent visit to China, Mohamed Muizzu indirectly took a jobe at India and said, "we may be small, but that does not give you the licence to bully us."

“We aren’t in anyone’s backyard. We are an independent and sovereign state,” he added asserting that no country has the right to exert influence the domestic affairs of Maldives.