ISLAMABAD: The president-elect of the Maldives, Mohamed Muiz, has once again affirmed his determination to carry out his campaign pledge to withdraw Indian military personnel stationed on the island chain nation.
The Maldives, strategically located along the main shipping route between the East and the West, consists of 1,200 coral islands and continues to be a focal point in the evolving dynamics of regional power politics in the Indian Ocean.
During a celebration of his election victory on Monday night, Muiz assured his supporters that he would initiate the process and firmly declared that he would not tolerate the presence of foreign military forces in the Maldives against the will of its citizens.
Muiz echoed a sentiment that had been a focal point of his election campaign, stating, “The people have told us that they don’t want foreign military here.”
This announcement presents a significant geopolitical challenge to India in its ongoing rivalry with China in the Indian Ocean region.
The Maldives’ presidential run-off election on Saturday was considered a de facto referendum on which regional power—India or China—would exert the greatest influence over the archipelago.
Outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who took office in 2018, faced allegations from Muiz that he had permitted India an unchecked presence in the country.
Muiz’s party, the People’s National Congress, actively leans towards fostering closer ties with China.
His campaign centered on concerns about the sovereignty of the Maldives, particularly in light of the alleged presence of Indian military personnel on one of the islands. His party had long advocated for an “India out” strategy.
The Indian Military in the Maldives: Clarifying its Role
President Solih, however, argued that the Indian military’s presence in the Maldives was solely for the purpose of constructing a dockyard, pursuant to an agreement between the two governments, and that this cooperation would not compromise the nation’s sovereignty.
The exact number of Indian troops stationed in the Maldives remains undisclosed, fueling suspicion and rumors about their role and influence.
Known activities of the Indian military in the Maldives include operating two donated helicopters and participating in rescue missions during maritime emergencies.
