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.