India-Maldives Talks: Crafting Solutions for Evolving Military Asset Challenges

India-Maldives Talks : Sources reveal that the recently elected Maldivian administration has formally requested the "withdrawal" of Indian military troops from the nation.

In the ongoing diplomatic discussions between India and the Maldives, marked by the key theme of "India-Maldives Talks," sources reveal that the recently elected Maldivian administration has formally requested the "withdrawal" of Indian military troops from the nation. However, both New Delhi and Malé have reached a consensus to engage in dialogue aimed at exploring practical solutions concerning the continued presence of these military assets. The rationale behind this approach is rooted in the belief that these forces currently stationed in the Maldives serve the broader interests of its people.

The event follows a meeting on Saturday, Nov. 18, in Male, the capital, between Indian minister Kiren Rijiju and the newly elected president of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The Indian earth sciences minister, an Arunachal Pradesh lawmaker, was in the nation of Indian Ocean Islands to represent India at the new President's swearing-in ceremony on Friday, Nov. 17.

As stated in an official statement from the Maldives government regarding the meeting, President Dr. Muizzu expressed gratitude to Minister Kiren Rijiju for the two helicopters' crucial contributions, acknowledging their crucial role in carrying out multiple emergency medical evacuations."

He valued their assistance in keeping an eye on and thwarting drug trafficking. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) was given Indian military equipment, such as helicopters and Dornier aircraft, which are considered essential for medical evacuation, drug trafficking surveillance, and counteraction. Additionally, they have made a substantial contribution to the fight against illicit maritime operations in the Maldives as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

In image: Indian Coast Guard personnel on deputation are shown in a photo released by the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) assisting in a crucial evacuation.

523 Maldivian lives have been saved by Indian personnel throughout the last five years through more than 500 medical evacuations. There have been 131 evacuations this year alone; in the two years prior, there had been 140 and 109 evacuations.

Furthermore, over 450 diverse missions have been executed to protect the Maldives' marine security; 122 of these missions were completed in the last year, while 152 and 124 missions were started in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Interestingly, earlier on Saturday, Nov. 18, the MNDF Central Area Command and the Indian Coast Guard on deputation in the Maldives assisted in the medical evacuation of a critically ill 36-year-old female from Th. Atoll Hospital to Male City via an MNDF Dornier aircraft that was provided by India.

President Muizzu had formally asked the Indian government to "withdraw" its "military personnel" from the Maldives at the meeting.

As per the official transcript, President Muizzu restated the democratic mandate he was granted during the September Presidential Election. He explained that the people of the Maldives had given him explicit instructions to make the request in writing to India. He was hopeful that the Maldivians' democratic choice will be respected by India.

Even though the previous government had vigorously opposed the "India Out campaign," President Muizzu had made it the centerpiece of his electoral platform.

President Muizzu formally requests that India remove its troops

In keeping with his election pledge, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday, November 18, formally demanded that India remove its soldiers from his nation. During a meeting with Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Earth Sciences from India, President Muizzu requested that New Delhi send back its military "When the President met with India's Minister of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju, at the President's Office earlier today, he formally made the request," a statement from Muizzu’s office stated. Three highly skilled planes will be flying and monitoring the maritime area. The number of employees to be pulled as well as the timetable were not specified in the statement.

Privileged to call on President H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Conveyed greetings from Hon’ble PM @NarendraModi and reiterated India’s commitment to further strengthen the substantive bilateral cooperation and robust people-to-people ties. pic.twitter.com/nFa95QD9ES

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 18, 2023

Proud to call on President H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Rijiju wrote in a post on X after attending Muizzu's inaugural ceremony on Friday. sent congratulations from the Honorable Prime Minister of India, and reaffirmed India's resolve to fortify the strong people-to-people relationships and substantive bilateral cooperation."

Muizzu recognizes the role played by Indian soldiers 

Sources claim that during his meeting with Rijiju, Muizzu expressed gratitude for the Indian military's use of helicopters and planes to monitor and battle drug trafficking, as well as for their assistance in providing medical evacuation for Maldivian nationals.

The sources went on to say that since using these venues to further collaboration serves the interests of the Maldivian people, Male and New Delhi would talk about practical ways to keep things going.

Muizzu has stated again and time again that foreign military personnel will not be present in his nation. "I'll draw a red line when it comes to our security. The president declared on Saturday that "The Maldives will respect the red lines of other countries too."

Muizzu stated to the news agency AFP earlier this week that he had no plans to upset the equilibrium in the region by substituting Chinese soldiers for Indian soldiers.

In October, he pledged to work on the "as soon as possible" return of Indian military personnel, but he also emphasized that closer investment ties with China and India were necessary to promote prosperity.