This is the latest in series of actions taken by Maldives to deepen ties with China. It comes after Malé allowed Chinese research vessel to dock in its ports despite objections from India.
The 77 Indian military personnel — engineers, trainers, and pilots — posted in Maldives are responsible for operating two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft given by New Delhi to Maldives.
In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said projects for port connectivity, tourism infra & amenities will be taken up on Indian islands including Lakshadweep.
In another sign of strained ties between Maldives & India, Chinese vessel previously intercepted by Indonesia for operating without broadcasting its position 'is set to dock at Malé on 8 Feb'.
The 13-yr-old had suffered a stroke. Maldivian opposition leaders are criticising President Muizzu for not using Dornier aircraft given by India, to airlift child to Malé.
The call for troops removal was made during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's meeting with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer, on the sidelines of 19th Non-Aligned Movement Thursday.
Maldives is among India’s key maritime neighbours & part of its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, but President Muizzu set a 15 March deadline for Indian military personnel to leave the island nation.
Removal of Indian navy, coast guard personnel was main political plank on which People's National Congress had fought presidential election in September.
On Sunday, an India-Maldives High Level Core Group met for talks in Male where the Indian troop withdrawal and the status of India-assisted project in the Maldives was discussed.
Mohamed Muizzu chose China for his first official foreign visit. He praised BRI and called for Beijing to reclaim its number one spot as the country sending most tourists to Maldives.
Finance ministry says the proposed revamp will focus on structural reforms, rate rationalisation & ease of living, & will be deliberated upon in the coming weeks.
The project is meant to be a ‘protective shield that will keep expanding’, the PM said. It is on the lines of the ‘Golden Dome’ announced by Trump, it is learnt.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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