Indian EAM S Jaishankar, Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer discuss withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives amid ongoing tension

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer in Kampala the place they mentioned the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Island Nation.

Jaishankar mentioned he had a ‘frank dialog’ with Moosa Zameer through the assembly.

“A frank dialog on – ties. Also mentioned NAM associated points,” Jaishankar posted on X.

The assembly happened at a time when the connection between India and Maldives touched new low over the current ‘derogatory’ remarks made by three ministers over Indian PM Narendra Modi’s go to to Lakshwadeep.

The Maldives authorities additionally directed India to withdraw its troops by March 15.

“It was a pleasure to fulfill with the External Affairs Minister of #India @DrSJaishankar within the margins of #NAMSummitUg2024,” Moosa Zameer posted on X.

“We exchanged views on the ongoing high-level discussions on the withdrawal of Indian navy personnel, in addition to expediting the completion of ongoing improvement initiatives within the #Maldives, and cooperation inside SAARC and NAM,” he mentioned. “We are dedicated to additional strengthening and increasing our cooperation,” the Maldivian minister mentioned.

Jaishankar is visiting Kampala to characterize India on the two-day summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

India-Maldives relationship touches low

The diplomatic ties between each nations hit a brand new low lately after Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna’s disparaging feedback on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “clown” and “puppet” in posts on X, which have since been deleted.

The tweets have been eliminated following criticism and backlash on the social media web site.

The row erupted additionally underneath the shadow of strained India-Maldives ties after President Mohamed Muizzu, who’s seen as a pro-China politician, got here to energy.

Muizzu assumed the presidency of the Maldives in November 2023. As half of his election promise, he dedicated to withdrawing a gaggle of roughly 75 Indian navy personnel from his nation and revising the Maldives’ longstanding “India first” coverage.