Maldives President Muizzu: No Indian troops, in uniform or civilian clothes, after May 10

He was responding to the Opposition’s criticism that the Indian technical personnel who are replacing the military personnel are actually military personnel without their uniform.

According to the report, while addressing the residential community of Eydhafushi during his tour across Baa Atoll on Monday, Muizzu said: “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.”

Muizzu’s statement comes days after the first team of Indian technical personnel reached the Maldives to take charge of one of the three aviation platforms stationed in the country. They will replace Indian military personnel, whose first batch is required to leave Maldives by March 10.

On February 2, the two countries had agreed that India would pull out all its 80-odd military personnel stationed in the Maldives by May 10.

While the first to leave are the Indian military personnel operating helicopters in Addu City, the military personnel present in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, and Kadhdhoo, Laamu Atoll, are also expected to pull out ahead of May 10.

The Maldives defence ministry had said the first team of Indian civilians would take charge of the operation of a helicopter in Addu, the country’s southernmost atoll.

Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said the two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the Maldives would be operated by “competent Indian technical personnel” who would replace the “present personnel”.

Soon after coming to power in November 2023, Muizzu, who is seen as pro-China, asked India to withdraw its military personnel from the island country. Muizzu had defeated the incumbent, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in the presidential election on the “India Out” plank.

On Monday, the Maldives Defence Ministry said the island country and China had “signed an agreement on China’s provision of military assistance gratis to the Republic of Maldives, fostering stronger bilateral ties”.