The President of the country, Mohammad Moois, urged the central government to withdraw Indian soldiers from neighboring Maldives by March 15.
He said this on Sunday after returning to Maldives on Saturday after completing his trip to China.
The new president of the Maldives, Mohamed Moois, was sworn in after winning the election held last November, promising to expel foreign soldiers from the country.
Considered to be a supporter of China, he requested the central government to withdraw Indian soldiers from Maldives after taking office as president.
However, India formed a High Level Committee insisting that a solution should be found through dialogue for the continuation of the Indian Army there.
The meeting of this committee was held on Sunday. In this regard, Maldives Prime Minister’s Office Minister Ibrahim Khalil told the media that official talks with India have started on Sunday regarding the withdrawal of Indian soldiers from Maldives. For this, a high level committee has been set up as decided by both the countries. This committee will also discuss the acceleration of projects being carried out by India in the Maldives,’ he said.
Indian Ambassador to the country Munu Mahavar also participated in the first meeting of the High Level Group held at the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters.
In addition to this, Abdulla Naseem, Public Policy Secretary of the President’s Office in the Maldivian capital, Mali, told reporters:
President Moois said that he has formally requested the Indian government to withdraw the Indian soldiers from Maldives by March 15.
India has provided sophisticated light helicopters and Tarni small aircraft to Maldives for medical assistance and maritime surveillance. The Government of Maldives has informed that 88 Indian soldiers are involved in maintaining and operating them in the country.
Apart from this, the country is also reviewing over 100 bilateral agreements with India.
Maldivian Adip Moois, who recently visited China, said that he is trying to connect Maldives closely with China.
Moois said this in the context of differences of opinion between India and China on many issues, especially border issues.
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Soldiers are advised to continue:
Central government
The central government has said that the bilateral high-level committee has made a proposal to find a solution to the continued presence of Indian troops in the Maldives.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, ‘Indian Army needs the role of Indian Army to continue medical and humanitarian assistance to the people of Maldives. In this regard, the High Level Committee consulted on the workable solution. The next meeting of this committee will be held in Delhi.