The new Maldivian President, Mohamed Muizzu, has requested India to pull back its troops from the Maldives.
President Muizzu’s government has also decided to prevent Bharat from carrying out hydrographic surveys in the Maldives’ waters. This move is seen as an attempt to reduce cooperation with Bharat and possibly appease China.
China is unhappy with Bharat conducting hydrographic surveys in the Maldives, as it wants to expand its naval presence and influence in the Indian Ocean. Malé’s recent actions might be an effort to align with China’s interests.
Bharat has not officially responded to Maldives’ decision to halt hydrographic surveys, but there are suspicions that it is related to appeasing China, similar to the request for troop withdrawal.
The Maldives has decided not to renew its hydrography cooperation agreement with Bharat after it expires on June 7, 2024. Bharat has been informed of this decision.
The agreement for hydrography cooperation was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Maldives in June 2019, under the previous president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
President Muizzu, during his campaign, opposed the ‘Bharat First’ policy and vowed to reverse it. He has also requested the withdrawal of Bharatiye military personnel from the Maldives.
Currently, Bharat has 77 military personnel in the Maldives, primarily involved in operating aircraft for emergency evacuations. The Maldives has formally asked for their withdrawal.
Former President Yameen’s government, voted out in 2018, had close ties with China, leading to strains in relations with Bharat. The narrative against Bharat continued with Muizzu, contributing to the change in regime.
Tensions increased when Bharat signed an agreement with the Solih government to develop a naval base in the Maldives. This move was criticized by Yameen and Muizzu, who claimed it could become an Bharatiye military base, threatening the Maldives’ sovereignty. Solih argued that it was intended for defense and surveillance of the Maldives’ waters.
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