77 Indian military personnel in Maldives; new government reviewing more than 100 agreements with India: Official

Maldives President Muizzu requested India to withdraw its military personnel, citing a strong mandate from the people. He also noted the role of two helicopters in providing emergency medical evacuations.

There were 77 Indian military personnel in the Maldives and the new government here was reviewing more than 100 agreements signed with New Delhi, a senior Maldivian official said on Sunday, a day after President Mohamed Muizzu formally requested India to withdraw its troops from the island nation.

Addressing a press conference here, the Undersecretary for Public Policy of the Presidential Office, Mohamed Firuzul Abdul Khaleel said the new administration has established that there are 77 Indian military personnel in the Maldives.

There were 24 Indian military personnel to manage the first helicopter, 25 Indians to manage the Dornier aircraft, 26 personnel to manage the second helicopter, and two more for maintenance and engineering, Mr. Firuzul was quoted as saying by the Maldivian media.

He said that President Muizzu, who won the presidential election in September, has initiated efforts to expel all 77 from the Maldives.

The Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the strategic Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties, including in areas of defence and security, have been on an upward trajectory under the government of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The Maldives is also one of the biggest beneficiaries of India’s Neighbourhood First policy.

During a meeting with Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju here on Saturday, Mr. Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to have their military personnel removed from the Maldives.