Maldives New President Makes An Official Request To India To Withdraw Its Military Personnel

 

 Indian Express: Maldives President asks India to withdraw military personnel from island, New Delhi says ‘govts to discuss workable solution’ 

The Maldives President’s office said that President Muizzu “acknowledged the significant role of the two helicopters in providing numerous emergency medical evacuations”. 

A day after the newly-elected President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu was sworn in, India’s representative, the Earth Sciences minister Kiren Rijiju met him where President Muizzu “formally requested” the Indian government to “withdraw its military personnel” from the island nation, the Maldives President’s office said in a statement. 

The Maldives President’s office said that President Muizzu “acknowledged the significant role of the two helicopters in providing numerous emergency medical evacuations”.  

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WNU Editor: We shall see .... Chinese troops will not replace Indians, Maldives leader says (RFE). 

Maldives New President Makes An Official Request To India To Withdraw Its Military Personnel  

Maldives new president makes an official request to India to withdraw military personnel -- ABC News/AP  

Maldives’ China-friendly president officially asks India withdraw its troops -- SCMP  

Maldives asks India to withdraw military, to discuss 'workable solutions' -- Hindustan Times  

Maldives President wants Indian military out but talks on for 'workable solution' on choppers -- India Times

Maldives Moves Away From China While Embracing India

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in New Delhi, India, Dec. 17. (Reuters)

Arab News/Reuters: India gives $1.4 bln aid to Maldives amid worry over its China debt

* India has long seen the Indian Ocean nation as part of its sphere of influence
* Solih defeated strongman Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who had forged increasingly closer to ties to China

NEW DELHI: India will give financial assistance of $1.4 billion to the Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, the biggest aid yet to the Indian Ocean island nation that is grappling with debt from a Chinese building spree.

Modi made the announcement after talks with Maldives’ new president, Mohamed Ibrahim Solih, who defeated the pro-China strongman Abdulla Yameen in a surprise election result in October and is trying to reset ties with India.

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Update: New Maldives leader secures $1.4bn from 'closest friend' India (AFP)

WNU Editor: This  is more India - China geopolitics at play than what the Maldives wants.