New Delhi, Jan 18
India is currently navigating a diplomatic challenge in the Maldives, where discussions revolve around the presence of Indian military personnel and aviation assets engaged in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The Maldives has issued a deadline of March 15 for the withdrawal of these troops, setting the stage for delicate negotiations between the two nations.
At the Weekly Briefing …
Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stressed the need to find a “mutually workable solution” for Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives. Shedding light on recent developments, Jaiswal mentioned a core group meeting that took place on the 14th of the month, where discussions covered various aspects of the bilateral relationship.
Responding to queries related to the Maldives’ directive for Indian Defence personnel to depart by March 15, the official spokesperson stated that efforts are underway to find a solution that ensures the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms providing crucial humanitarian and medical services to the people of the Maldives. He urged caution in prematurely judging the outcome of these ongoing discussions.
The upcoming second meeting of the Core Group is expected to be held in New Delhi, with a primary focus on reaching a “mutually workable solution” to sustain the operation of Indian aviation platforms. The spokesperson offered insights into the deliberations of the Jan 14 meeting in Male, emphasizing that both nations explored various dimensions of their bilateral relationship.
And stated that the discussions held during the core group meeting were made public. He underscored that the process is ongoing, with discussions set to continue in the subsequent meeting of the core group.
In addition to troop withdrawal, the discussions between India and the Maldives encompass broader aspects of bilateral cooperation and the expedited implementation of ongoing projects. These diplomatic efforts underline the commitment of both nations to fostering a collaborative relationship.
The Story So Far …
On January 14, both countries mutually agreed to expedite the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. This decision followed reports in local media indicating that Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu had formally requested the Indian government to withdraw troops before March 15. Notably, the removal of Indian troops was a central promise in Muizzu’s political campaign.
President Muizzu had, on his second day in office, officially communicated the request for withdrawal to the Indian government. He asserted that an agreement had been reached after dialogue with Indian authorities. The current presence in the Maldives comprises approximately 70 Indian troops, a Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft, and two HAL Dhruv helicopters.
However, beyond the military dimension, a contentious issue emerged when Maldives deputy minister and other government officials made disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep.
The Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer, distanced the government from these remarks, labelling them as “unacceptable” and clarifying that they do not reflect the official position of the Maldives government. This episode added an additional layer of complexity to the diplomatic landscape between India and the Maldives.