After Ordering Indian Troop Withdrawal, 'Pro-Maldives' President-Elect Rejects Replacement With Chinese Troops

The incoming president of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has urged India to withdraw its troops after his election victory, emphasising that the Maldives is too small to be caught in geopolitical rivalries.

Despite a campaign pledge against Indian forces, Muizzu clarified that he does not seek Chinese forces as replacements, emphasizing his commitment to being "pro-Maldives", reported NDTV.

Muizzu's election success in September centered on challenging India's influence, particularly vowing to expel Indian forces.

However, he aims for a negotiation with India for the withdrawal of approximately 50 to 75 Indian personnel.

The Maldives, a strategically located Indian Ocean archipelago, has become a geopolitical hotspot due to its position along global east-west shipping lanes.

The president-elect, who will be sworn in on Friday (17 November), expressed his intention to work with all countries, including India and China.

Muizzu's mandate is to remove Indian security personnel deployed to operate aircraft gifted to the Maldives for maritime patrol.

He clarified that the call for withdrawal is not to accommodate any other country's military presence.

The Maldives, under former president Abdulla Yameen, had aligned closely with China.

However, Muizzu emphasised that his focus is on putting Maldives first and working with all countries while maintaining friendly relationships.

He is also seeking international funding, including up to $500 million, to protect the Maldives from climate change threats, emphasising the need for compensation for environmental damage.