Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu said in his first meeting with the Indian envoy to Maldives, he told the latter very clearly that every Indian military personnel in Maldives should be removed. Muizzu, a pro-China candidate said he would live up to the promise of removing every foreign military boots in Maldives.
In an interview with BBC, Muizzu said he met the Indian ambassador a few days after his victory and "told him very clearly that every single Indian military personnel here should be removed". Muizzu said the presence of Indian troops in the country endangers Maldives. The President-elect told the publication that in the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and China, presence of Indian troops could put Maldives at risk.
Muizzu also said he would review every agreement Maldives signed with India. "We don't know what's in there. Even in Parliament, some of the MPs during the debates said that they didn't know what was in there. I am sure we will find it out," Muizzu told BBC.
in 2021, the Maldivian defence force said about 75 Indian military personnel were based in the country to operate and maintain the Indian aircraft. This fuelled suspicion and anger as many felt the reconnaissance aircraft were being used as an excuse to put Indian boots on the ground.
"I am a pro-Maldives person. For me, Maldives comes first, our independence comes first" he said. "I am not pro or against any country,” Muizzu said.
The publication reported that India wants a foothold in the strategically located islands to monitor a key part of the Indian Ocean. According to reports, India has also provided about $2 billion of assistance to Maldives. In 2021, Maldivian defence force reported that 75 Indian military personnel were based in the country to operate and maintain the Indian aircraft - Two helicopters received in 2010 and 2013 and a small aircraft in 2020, BBC reported.