‘No Indian troops to remain in Maldives, in civilian clothing’

News Desk :
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has escalated his anti-India stance, declaring that no Indian military personnel, including those in civilian attire, will be permitted in his country after May 10, as reported by the media on Tuesday.

As reported by PTI, this announcement from Muizzu follows closely after an Indian civilian team arrived in the Maldives to assume control of one of the three aviation platforms in the island nation, reports Mint.

his move occurred well ahead of the agreed-upon March 10 deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, heightening tensions between the two nations.

Addressing the Baa atoll Eydhafushi residential community during his tour across the atoll, the President stated that due to his government’s success in expelling Indian troops from the country, people who spread false rumours, are attempting to twist the situation, a news portal Edition.mv reported.

“That these people [Indian military] are not departing, that they are returning after changing their uniforms into civilian clothing. We must not indulge such thoughts that instil doubts in our hearts and spread lies,” the portal quoted Muizzu, widely regarded as a pro-China leader, as saying.

“There will be no Indian troops in the country come May 10. Not in uniform and not in civilian clothing. The Indian military will not be residing in this country in any form of clothing. I state this with confidence,” he said, on a day when his country signed an agreement with China to receive free military aid.

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Following a meeting held in Delhi on February 2, where high-level discussions took place between the Maldivian and Indian authorities, the Maldivian foreign ministry announced that India would substitute its military personnel managing the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10.