International news: India ready to withdraw its troops from Maldives, know when the first contingent is arriving

New Delhi. Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu had demanded India to withdraw its troops by March 15. Taking action in this direction, India will withdraw its troops from one of the three platforms by March 10. This process will be completed on the remaining two platforms by May 10. However, India will retain two naval helicopters and one Dornier aircraft in the Maldives.

According to a readout posted by Male of Second India- Maldives’ high-level core group meeting was held here on Friday. The Indian side said both sides agreed to a set of “mutually practical solutions” to enable the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms.

This means that India has agreed to withdraw its military personnel as per the demand of President Mohammad Muizzu, but there is no clarity on who will replace these soldiers. The Indian government has not confirmed whether these will be Indian citizens, who may also include ex-servicemen. These platforms provide humanitarian and medevac services to Maldivians.

Muizzu had earlier warned that the presence of Indian Army in any form on Maldivian soil would be detrimental to democracy in his country. He told India that the withdrawal of the Indian Army was the democratic wish of the people of Maldives. However, India wanted Male to retain the helicopters and planes that have saved more than 500 lives through medical evacuations in the Indian Ocean archipelago.