Can India mend fences with the Maldives amid its troop withdrawal and China’s gambit to gain clout?

Name: How India-Maldives tension was sparked by an online row over tourism
Uploaded: 2024-03-13T12:42:54.000Z
Duration: 5 min 23 s
Description: How India-Maldives tension was sparked by an online row over tourism

An initial group of 25 Indian soldiers out of 90 had withdrawn from the Maldives, according to local media reports

India should take steps to counter China’s ‘timely opportunism’ to draw closer to the Maldives, analysts say

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Then-president-elect Mohamed Muizzu (centre, in light blue shirt) of the Maldives delivers a speech in Male following the country’s presidential election on October 2, 2023. Photo: AFP

Biman Mukherji

Published: 8:42pm, 13 Mar 2024Updated: 9:04pm, 13 Mar 2024

India should seek to mend its frayed relations with the Maldives amid an ongoing withdrawal of its troops from the archipelagic state as ordered by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu.

Analysts say it would be counterproductive for India to reassert itself in the Maldives as this would only incite more anti-Indian sentiment.

Local media reported on Tuesday that 25 Indian soldiers deployed in the Maldives’ southernmost atoll of Addu had left out of around 90 stationed in the country. The move comes within days of Muizzu – seen by analysts as pro-China – signing a “military assistance” pact with Beijing this month.

India has agreed to a complete withdrawal of troops and support staff from the Maldives by May 10 following talks between both countries.

05:23

How India-Maldives tension was sparked by an online row over tourism

Three Indian aircraft operated by Indian civilian staff will be stationed on the island to help with rescue and relief operations as and when they are needed in the remote islands.