Indian forces to leave Maldives by May 10, says Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday knowledgeable the nation’s Parliament that the primary group of Indian troops will transfer out of the nation earlier than March 10.

“Diplomatic discussions with different nations that the President can conduct are ongoing. We have formally requested India to take away its troops stationed within the Maldives. Deliberations on this subject are ongoing,” Muizzu was quoted as saying by The Edition.

“As per the newest discussions, army personnel on one of many three aviation platforms might be recalled earlier than March 10, 2024. The army personnel on the remaining two platforms will even be recalled by May 10, 2024,” he mentioned.

He made the announcement amid the continued diplomatic row between India and Maldives.

India-Maldives diplomatic row

A diplomatic row erupted between India and Maldives after sure Maldivian politicians, together with ministers, made disparaging remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shortly after his go to to India’s Lakshadweep Islands.

The ministers opened a verbal assault, saying that it was an try to divert vacationers from the island nation.

After India raised the difficulty with the Maldives, three ministers had been faraway from their positions on January 7.

On the next day, the Maldivian consultant to India was summoned to the External Affairs Ministry, the place robust reservations had been conveyed over derogatory social media posts focusing on PM Modi.

The feedback made by Maldives’ ministers have stirred discontent amongst Indians, main to the cancellation of their scheduled holidays to the island nation.