Analyzing motives behind new Maldives President’s call for withdrawal of Indian troops

Mohamed Muizzu, recently inaugurated as the President of the Maldives, emphasized during his inauguration speech his commitment to having no foreign military presence on the island. Subsequently, in a meeting with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, President Muizzu formally requested New Delhi to withdraw its approximately 70 soldiers stationed in the Maldives. The Indian government sources reported that both sides have agreed to explore “workable solutions” to continue the use of Indian military platforms, acknowledging their role in public welfare, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and combating illegal maritime activities.

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The Maldives, a small island nation with about 500,000 people, is strategically positioned in the Indian Ocean, making it a geopolitical hotspot. Amidst increasing tensions between India and China in the region, both nations have invested significantly in the Maldives’ development. President Muizzu, succeeding Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, has expressed a desire to collaborate with both India and China while emphasizing the island’s neutrality in geopolitical rivalries.

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President Muizzu, closely associated with former President Abdulla Yameen, who leaned towards Beijing during his tenure, has advocated for stronger ties with China. However, Muizzu clarified that his call for the withdrawal of Indian troops is based on security concerns and does not signal an intention to replace them with Chinese forces. In his efforts to strike a delicate balance, Muizzu discussed progress in Indian-backed projects during his meeting with Union Minister Rijiju, expressing a renewed commitment to fortify bilateral relations between the Maldives and India.