Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Affirms Troop Withdrawal in Parliamentary Address, Cites India

President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives announced on Monday in a parliamentary address that the initial batch of Indian troops would depart before March 10, fulfilling one of his primary electoral commitments. Emphasizing his dedication to safeguarding the freedom and sovereignty of the Maldivian people, Muizzu stated that the remaining two contingents of Indian forces would exit the island nation by May 10.

The withdrawal of Indian troops was a key election promise of Mohamed Muizzu, who is known for his pro-China stance, aligning with New Delhi's economic and strategic competitor. In his presidential speech, he highlighted his ascent to power based on the commitment to "withdraw foreign troops from the Maldives, recover the lost part of Maldives seas, and cancel any agreement made by the state that could undermine Maldives sovereignty."

President Muizzu declared his intention to enhance the capability of the Maldives military to patrol the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the clock, according to a Sun Online report. He asserted that his government operates on the principle of prioritizing the interests of the Maldivian people.

The presidential address faced opposition, with 56 MPs, including 13 from the Democrats and 44 from the MDP, boycotting the session to protest against perceived undemocratic practices of the government. Accusations of an anti-India pivot against Muizzu were raised by these two parties.

Following a meeting with New Delhi last week, the Maldives foreign ministry disclosed an agreement that India would replace military personnel at one of the three aviation platforms by March 10, 2024. India had been a longstanding ally of the Maldives until Muizzu assumed power.

Tensions escalated last month between India and the Maldives when a Maldivian minister made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visit to Lakshadweep. India formally protested, leading to calls for a boycott of the Maldives by celebrities. Within three weeks of the boycott calls, India became the fifth-largest market for the Maldives.

During his visit to China last month, Muizzu requested the communist country to boost tourism, a move perceived as targeting India in response to the boycott calls.