![](https://onecms-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--MPtzf0ae--/fl_relative,g_south_east,l_one-cms:core:watermark:reuters,w_0.1/f_auto,q_auto/c_fill,g_auto,h_676,w_1200/v1/one-cms/core/2024-02-03t114030z_2_lynxmpek1203k_rtroptp_3_maldives-india.jpg?itok=2XI2v-cZ)
NEW DELHI/MALE: India will withdraw its troops from the Maldives by May, according to a statement made on Saturday ( Feb 3 ). The two nations are attempting to resolve their tense pullout.
Civilians will take the place of the approximately 80 troops stationed in the Indian Ocean place, according to representatives from both nations.
India and China have courted the Islands, which have historically been near to neighbor India, as world powers compete for influence in the Indo-Pacific area.
Since Mohamed Muizzu was elected leader of the Island last year and promised to put an end to the nation’s” India First” plan, relations between New Delhi and Male have deteriorated.
He has urged the soldiers stationed to leave by March 15 in order to support New Delhi’s military supplies to the Maldives and aid in local philanthropic efforts.
According to the Island, the first set of American troops did depart by March 10 and the remaining ones by May 10, based on an agreement reached at a high-level gathering in the American money on various issues pertaining to bilateral assistance.
The two nations “agreed on a set of mutually acceptable solutions to enable continued activity of Indian aviation websites” that provide charitable services to the Maldives, according to India’s foreign government.
A request for comment on the army pullout was not immediately answered by the government, and its statement made no mention of a timeline.
According to India, the soldiers—who also include a dozen healthprofessionals—assist the nation’s remote islands ‘ citizens with medical evacuations and humanitarian aid.
Men now has two helicopters and a Dornier plane from New Delhi, which are primarily used for medical evacuations, search and rescue missions, and marine surveillance. The American soldiers oversee those businesses.
According to the Maldives foreign ministry, the future bilateral meeting will take place in Man in the final week of February.