Following his visit to China, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has announced a deadline, requiring India to remove its soldiers by March 15. Since Maldivian politicians made disparaging remarks following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, tensions between the Maldives and India have already been elevated by this action. A high-level core committee has been formed by both countries to negotiate the evacuation of Indian soldiers.
Muizzu’s “India Out” campaign has gradually replaced Ibrahim Solih’s “India First” agenda, indicating a larger geopolitical realignment. Abdullah Yameen began the campaign against India in 2013, and Muizzu is carrying it out, emphasizing the departure of Indian military forces.
In order to tackle the military retreat, a high-level core group was formed and met for the first time at the Foreign Ministry Headquarters in Male. The main goal of the talks was to come up with a “workable solution” that would guarantee Indian aviation platforms would always be available for humanitarian aid.
The official statement from India emphasized current development initiatives and discussions on bilateral cooperation. Finding a compromise to allow Indian aircraft platforms to operate in the Maldives was the main priority. India is scheduled to host the subsequent high-level core group meeting.
Prime Minister Modi’s images during his vacation in Lakshadweep have sparked a fresh tourism controversy, surpassing military worries. Social media users started the #BoycottMaldives movement in response to insulting comments made by Maldivian ministers, which negatively affected the country’s critical tourist industry and resulted in the suspension of three officials.
Over two-thirds of the Maldives’ GDP comes from tourism, therefore the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators voiced worries about possible negative repercussions. Approximately 44,000 Maldivians who work in the tourist industry may have their lives impacted by the economic ramifications.
Stability in the area is under question given the changing military, political, and economic circumstances between India and the Maldives. The impending high-level core group conference will be critical in deciding the direction of ties between these South Asian states.
