Recently, Bharat and the Maldives have come together to oversee the withdrawal of Bharatiya military personnel from the Maldives, as per the insistence of the Maldivian government.
The process, set to conclude by May 10, aims to replace Bharatiya military personnel with civilian experts to manage aviation platforms primarily used for medical evacuations and humanitarian relief operations.
The fourth meeting of a bilateral high-level core group, held in New Delhi, saw discussions on the ongoing efforts to ensure the uninterrupted operation of Bharatiya aviation platforms serving the people of Maldives.
The Bharatiya External Affairs Ministry highlighted the joint efforts to facilitate humanitarian and medevac services during the meeting.
As per statement from the Maldivian foreign ministry, the Bharatiya government has committed to completing the replacement of military personnel with civilian experts at the last of the three aviation platforms by May 10. The logistical arrangements for this transition are reportedly proceeding as scheduled.
Bharat had previously withdrawn two batches of military personnel in March and April, replacing them with civilian experts to operate and maintain helicopters and aircraft stationed in the Maldives. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who has pursued a policy of distancing from Bharat in favor of closer ties with China, had set May 10 as the deadline for the complete withdrawal of Bharatiya military personnel.
President Muizzu’s administration has taken steps to diversify the Maldives’ partnerships, including agreements with Sri Lanka, China, and Turkey for medical services, food security, and military equipment.
The high-level core group discussions also encompassed broader bilateral cooperation, touching upon defense, development projects, trade, investment, and capacity-building initiatives. Both sides expressed commitment to furthering mutual interests and enhancing cooperation in various fields.
The establishment of the core group followed a meeting between Bharatiya Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Muizzu during the COP28 summit in Dubai. At the time, bilateral relations had been strained due to President Muizzu’s pro-China stance, which contrasted with Bharat’s traditional impact in the region.
Looking ahead, the next meeting of the high-level core group is slated to take place in Male, with both sides anticipating discussions on further cooperation and mutual interests. This meeting, expected to convene in June or July, will likely provide an opportunity to address ongoing developments and strengthen bilateral ties between Bharat and the Maldives.
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