Why Maldives ordered all Indian troops out by mid-March
Maldives President Muizzu issued the marching orders after a trip to China. Here's what you need to know
15 January 2024 - 16:55
byKrishn Kaushik
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Chinese President Xi Jinping and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on January 10 2024. Picture: REUTERS
The new Maldives president has set a deadline of March 15 for its giant neighbour India to withdraw all its troops from the tiny Indian Ocean archipelago nation.
The deadline was set shortly after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu returned from a state visit to China. New Delhi has so far not commented directly on the demand.
How many Indian troops are stationed in Maldives?
Officials in both Male and New Delhi say that 77 Indian soldiers are posted in the archipelago country, known for its beaches and luxury holiday resorts. There are also 12 medical personnel from the Indian armed forces.
Why are they there?
India says the soldiers provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations for the residents of the remote islands of the country.
India has given Male two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, which are mostly used for marine surveillance, search and rescue operations and medical evacuations. The Indian troops manage these operations.
The first helicopter and crew started operations in the Maldives in 2010, when Mohamed Nasheed was president of the islands.
Why does the Maldives want them out?
India has traditionally enjoyed strong ties with the Maldives, which depends on New Delhi for essentials for its 500,000 people, including rice, vegetables, medicines, and humanitarian assistance.
In 1998, India sent troops to help then president Abdul Gayoom fight a coup attempt. The troops were withdrawn immediately afterwards.
But the dependence on India, and assertions New Delhi interferes in the Maldives’ domestic politics have raised concerns within the country.
Muizzu was elected president in November, riding on an ‘India Out’ campaign, in contrast to the pro-India policies of most of his predecessors.
He has called New Delhi’s influence a threat to the country's sovereignty and pledged to remove Indian troops from Maldivian soil.
After Muizzu met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28 in United Arab Emirates in December, the two countries launched negotiations to review their ties, including the presence of these troops.
How is China involved?
Rivals New Delhi and Beijing vie for influence in the Maldives given its strategic location southwest of India's southern tip.
The Maldives owes China $1.37bn, or about 20% of its public debt, according to World Bank data.
The islands sit along one of the busiest maritime trade highways in the Indian Ocean, through which nearly 80% of China’s oil imports pass.
For India, any potential Chinese military presence in Maldives would be considered a threat in its own regional back yard.
Recent attacks by Houthi forces on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have highlighted the vulnerability of maritime trade routes and the need to protect them.
China and the Maldives upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership during Muizzu’s state visit to Beijing last week.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Why Maldives ordered all Indian troops out by mid-March
Maldives President Muizzu issued the marching orders after a trip to China. Here's what you need to know
The new Maldives president has set a deadline of March 15 for its giant neighbour India to withdraw all its troops from the tiny Indian Ocean archipelago nation.
The deadline was set shortly after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu returned from a state visit to China. New Delhi has so far not commented directly on the demand.
How many Indian troops are stationed in Maldives?
Officials in both Male and New Delhi say that 77 Indian soldiers are posted in the archipelago country, known for its beaches and luxury holiday resorts. There are also 12 medical personnel from the Indian armed forces.
Why are they there?
India says the soldiers provide help with humanitarian aid and medical evacuations for the residents of the remote islands of the country.
India has given Male two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft, which are mostly used for marine surveillance, search and rescue operations and medical evacuations. The Indian troops manage these operations.
The first helicopter and crew started operations in the Maldives in 2010, when Mohamed Nasheed was president of the islands.
Why does the Maldives want them out?
India has traditionally enjoyed strong ties with the Maldives, which depends on New Delhi for essentials for its 500,000 people, including rice, vegetables, medicines, and humanitarian assistance.
In 1998, India sent troops to help then president Abdul Gayoom fight a coup attempt. The troops were withdrawn immediately afterwards.
But the dependence on India, and assertions New Delhi interferes in the Maldives’ domestic politics have raised concerns within the country.
Muizzu was elected president in November, riding on an ‘India Out’ campaign, in contrast to the pro-India policies of most of his predecessors.
He has called New Delhi’s influence a threat to the country's sovereignty and pledged to remove Indian troops from Maldivian soil.
After Muizzu met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28 in United Arab Emirates in December, the two countries launched negotiations to review their ties, including the presence of these troops.
How is China involved?
Rivals New Delhi and Beijing vie for influence in the Maldives given its strategic location southwest of India's southern tip.
The Maldives owes China $1.37bn, or about 20% of its public debt, according to World Bank data.
The islands sit along one of the busiest maritime trade highways in the Indian Ocean, through which nearly 80% of China’s oil imports pass.
For India, any potential Chinese military presence in Maldives would be considered a threat in its own regional back yard.
Recent attacks by Houthi forces on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have highlighted the vulnerability of maritime trade routes and the need to protect them.
China and the Maldives upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership during Muizzu’s state visit to Beijing last week.
Reuters
Chinese media warns against ‘China threat’ narrative in the Indian Ocean region
Maldives leader signs 20 agreements with China
Maldives president woos ‘close ally’ China
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