MALE : The Maldivian president told India Sunday to withdraw its nearly 100 troops by March 15, a day after returning from China where he signed a raft of deals.
New Delhi considers the Indian Ocean archipelago to be within its sphere of influence but the country has shifted to Chinas orbit, the Maldivess largest external creditor.
The March deadline was set during talks with Indian officials in the Maldives on Sunday, a top aide to President Mohamed Muizzu said, honouring the leaders long-standing election pledge.
“The president put forth this request at the meeting of the high-level committee between the two nations… the proposal is currently under consideration,” Muizzus Public Policy Secretary Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim told reporters.
India has a deployment of about 89 personnel, including medical staff, to operate three aircraft to patrol the archipelagos vast maritime territory. Muizzu came to power in September after pledging to evict Indian forces. On Saturday, after arriving in the capital Male, the president said that while the Maldives may be small, the country will not be bullied.
“We are not a country that is in the backyard of another country. We are an independent nation,” Muizzu said. “This territorial integrity policy is one that China respects”, he said in the nations Dhivehi language, the Mihaaru newspaper reported.
With Beijing and New Delhi tussling for influence, Muizzu was elected in September after pledging to cultivate “strong ties” with China. “We may be small, but that doesnt give you the license to bully us,” Muizzu said, in a final comment in English. He has denied seeking to redraw the regional balance by bringing in Chinese forces to replace Indian troops.
KMS
