India fully withdraws soldiers from Maldives: Presidential spokesperson
The Hindu
India withdraws military personnel from Maldives ahead of President Muizzu's May 10 deadline, impacting bilateral relations
India has withdrawn all its soldiers from the Maldives, the government here has said, ahead of the May 10 deadline set by President Mohamed Muizzu for the complete withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country.
President Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, had set May 10 as the deadline for the withdrawal of the Indian military personnel from his country. Repatriation of some 90 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives was a key pledge of Mr. Muizzu during his presidential campaign last year.
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The last batch of Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives have been repatriated, confirmed Heena Waleed, President's Office Chief Spokesperson told Sun.mv news portal, without giving the number of Indian soldiers.
She added details about the number of the soldiers stationed would be disclosed later.
The Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives to operate and maintain two helicopters and Dornier aircraft India gifted earlier.
Earlier, the Maldives government announced that 51 of these soldiers were repatriated to India on May 6.