India has started pulling out its troops from the Maldives after the country’s pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu’s order to leave the archipelago by May 10, local media reported on Tuesday.
The Mihaaru newspaper reported that as many as 25 Indian military personnel deployed in the southernmost atoll of Addu had left the nation ahead of March 10, the official start of the withdrawal agreed by both India and the Maldives.
Following talks between Male and New Delhi, the two sides had agreed to complete a withdrawal of 89 Indian troops and their support staff from the nation by May 10. Mihaaru reported that three Indian aircraft – two helicopters and one fixed-wing plane – to be operated by Indian civilian staff, have already arrived in the island nation.
Though there was no official confirmation from either the Maldivian or Indian authorities, Mihaaru said the Maldivian National Defence Force confirmed the withdrawal of Indian troops had commenced.
After coming to power in September last year, Muizzu had pledged that no Indian security personnel deployed in the Maldives to patrol its vast maritine border, will be allowed.