Maldives Signs Defence Pact with China Amid Troop Withdrawal

As Indian troops are set to pull out from the Maldives, President Mohamed Muizzu’s persistent calls for their removal have culminated in the signing of a military agreement with China. The pact, signed by Maldives’s Defence Minister and a Chinese military official, signifies China’s commitment to provide military assistance to the island nation.

This move aligns with efforts to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as agreed during President Muizzu’s state visit to China. Concurrently, India has agreed to withdraw its troops from the Maldives, replacing them with a technical team to assist in operating gifted aircraft. Recent remarks by India’s External Affairs Minister, perceived as a veiled criticism of President Muizzu, have sparked attention in the Maldives, with media linking them to earlier statements by the Maldivian leader regarding external influence.