Commuters make their way through the Chinese funded and built Sinamale bridge, in the Maldives capital Male on Nov 16, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has officially asked India to withdraw its remaining military personnel stationed in the island nation by March 15, an official with his office announced.

Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary at the Maldivian President’s Office, detailed the demand at a press briefing on Jan 14.

The meeting took place at the Maldivian Foreign Ministry, with the Indian Ambassador to the Maldives Munu Mahawar present alongside the Maldives Ambassador to India Ibrahim Shaheeb

There are currently 88 Indian military personnel based in the archipelago under various military agreements, recent figures from the Maldivian government showed.

A statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Jan 14 said that both sides were looking for a “mutually workable solution” but gave no timeline.

The statement came after the conclusion of the first meeting of the High-Level Core Group between Maldives and India was held in Male, the capital of the South Asian country.

“Both sides expressed willingness to intensify cooperation and agreed to expedite the withdrawal of Indian military personnel,” the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said.

The meeting took place at the Maldivian Foreign Ministry, with the Indian Ambassador to the Maldives Munu Mahawar present alongside the Maldives Ambassador to India Ibrahim Shaheeb.

The High-Level Core Group was set up following a meeting between Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders spoke on the sidelines of the United Nations COP28 climate change conference, which took place from Nov 30 to Dec 13 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

During the meeting, discussions were also held on matters of interest to both countries, such as mutual collaboration, and “prospective steps needed to be taken in order to further strengthen ties between Maldives and India”, reported the Edition, the local English-language newspaper.

A second meeting of the High-Level Core Group will take place but the time is yet to be decided, according to the Maldivian Foreign Ministry.

Soon after coming into office following the general election last year, Muizzu made an official request to India for the nation to withdraw its military presence.

On Jan 12, Muizzu completed his state visit to China. The trip, which began on Jan 8, was his first as president of the Maldives

This was based on his campaign promise to expel Indian military personnel from the Maldives, reported Sun Online International, a local news outlet.

At a press event on Jan 13, Muizzu also said that he would not allow any external influence on the internal affairs of the Maldives.

He added that no country has the right to exert influence over the domestic affairs of another country, regardless of its size.

Muizzu also announced plans to cut the country’s reliance on India, including measures such as ensuring imports of essential food commodities, medicine, and consumables from various other nations.

On Jan 12, Muizzu completed his state visit to China. The trip, which began on Jan 8, was his first as president of the Maldives. 

On Jan 11, a joint press communique between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives was issued. 

It said that leaders of the two countries had in-depth exchanges of views on reinforcing China-Maldives traditional friendship and deepening friendly cooperation, reaching an extensive consensus.

Contact the writer at vivienxu@chinadailyapa.com