Malé, Feb 3 (EFE).- India has agreed to substitute military personnel with civilians to operate aviation platforms in the Maldives amid strained ties between the neighboring South Asian nations, according to the Maldivian foreign ministry.
Under the new arrangement, nearly 100 Indian soldiers operating two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the archipelago will be phased out, with the initial batch set to depart in March.
The agreement, finalized during a high-level meeting in the Indian capital, outlines the replacement of military personnel in one aviation platform by March 10, and the completion of the transition for the other two platforms by May 10, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday night.
The Indian external affairs ministry highlighted ongoing discussions between the two nations on various bilateral cooperation issues and steps to enhance their partnership, including the expeditious implementation of development cooperation projects.
“Both sides also agreed on a set of mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medvac (humanitarian and evacuation services in case of medical emergencies) services to the people of the Maldives,” the Indian ministry said.
Tensions between the countries escalated after the election of President Mohamed Muizzu, who ran an “anti-India” campaign. Muizzu, who assumed office in September, called for the withdrawal of Indian troops and visited China in January, signaling a shift in diplomatic relations.
Despite traditionally being a crucial partner for the Maldives, India faces challenges in the island nation.
The Maldives, strategically located in the Indian Ocean, remains a focal point for both India and China, competing for influence and considering the archipelago a vital maritime gateway to South Asia.
The most recent trigger points include mockery by Maldivian politicians of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Indian government published photographs of him in the Lakshadweep archipelago, near the Maldives, to promote domestic tourism.
Indian celebrities, businesspeople, and social media influencers perceived it as disrespectful towards Prime Minister Modi and called for a boycott of tourism and travel to the Maldives. EFE
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