Maldives has asked India to withdraw Indian troops by March 15. Even two months ago there was a demand for his removal. But now Maldives has fixed a date. Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, Public Policy Secretary in the President’s Office, said, ‘Indian military personnel cannot stay in Maldives. This is the policy of the administration of President Mohammad Muizzu. But the question arises why is Muizzu repeatedly raising the issue of Indian soldiers and why are Indian soldiers here?
Maldives president Muizzu has won the elections in the name of India Out. India Out was simply the evacuation of Indian troops from Maldives. If we look at the demonstrations in Muizzu, it will seem as if an entire unit of the Indian Army is here. But on the contrary, no large contingent of Indian soldiers is present here. According to the latest government figures, there are only 88 Indian soldiers in Maldives.
Indian soldiers have gone to Maldives to train soldiers in combat, reconnaissance and rescue-assistance operations. Despite this, there are some Maldivian citizens and politicians who have opposed the presence of troops in any capacity in the country. Indian analysts say the ‘India Out’ campaign has exaggerated the role of these troops in the Maldives and portrayed their presence as a threat to the country’s security.
India and Maldives have a long history of cooperation in various fields including defence. In November 1988, at the request of the government of then President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Indian troops entered the island to prevent a coup. After capturing the rebels, the army came out from there.
