Pro-China Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Firm On 'India Out', Asks For Withdrawal Of Indian Troops By 15 March Amid Diplomatic Row

Amid the ongoing diplomatic row, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has asked India to withdraw its troops by 15 March, Hindustan Times reported.

Notably, Muizzu won the presidential elections recently with his campaign focusing on 'India Out'. Soon after being sworn in as the president, he formally requested India to withdraw troops.

Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary at the Muizzu's office, said that Maldives has formally asked India to withdraw its military personnel by 15 March.

He emphasised Muizzu's policy and said that Indian military personnel cannot stay in the Maldives.

Recently, there was a high-level core group meeting to negotiate the withdrawal of the troops. However, Ibrahim said that the agenda was to request the withdrawal.

Currently, there are 88 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives to operate helicopters and surveillance aircraft that India has gifted to the island nation.

Muizzu is known for his pro-China stance as he chose Turkey for his first foreign visit, instead of India. Also, breaking away from tradition, he visited China before India and signed 20 key agreements.

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