Indian troops have started leaving Maldives

The withdrawal of Indian Army personnel from Maldives has started. They are being evacuated on the orders of the new president of the Maldives, Mohamed Muijju, who is known to be pro-China. Maldivian newspaper The Miharu published the news on Tuesday.

Mohammad Muijju was elected President of Maldives in September last year with the slogan 'India Out'. India had 89 troops deployed in Maldives. India gifted that country with two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.

With the help of helicopters and airplanes, essential medical supplies, food and goods are delivered to the remote areas of this Indian Ocean island nation, as well as the injured and seriously ill are brought to the capital Male for medical treatment. The service is also very important in dealing with disasters.

After bilateral talks, India agreed to withdraw a total of 89 Indian troops and their allies from the Maldives by May 10. The withdrawal process was supposed to start from March 10.

According to Miharu's report, the Indian troops stationed at Addu's southernmost atoll have already left the islands.

They have already reached Maldives. However, Maldives and Indian authorities have not officially said anything in this regard. According to Miharu's report, the Maldivian National Defense Force has confirmed the news that the withdrawal of Indian troops has begun.

Relations between Malaysia and New Delhi have been chilly since Muijju won the Maldivian presidential election in September. India wants Maldives to remain in its sphere of influence. However, Maldives is now moving away from China's sphere of influence. Maldives signed a military aid agreement with China last week.