India agreed to expedite troop removal, Maldives says
The meeting between Maldives and India came amid strong remarks by President Mohammed Muizzu to India.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
India has agreed to expedite the withdrawal of troops from Maldives, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
The first meeting of the core group announced by President Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai was held this Sunday. The meeting with senior officials from Maldives and India began at 9:30 am.
During the talks, Maldives asked for the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives before March 15.
The two countries have agreed to expedite the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The Foreign Ministry said at the meeting:
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They discussed the agreements between Maldives and India
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Discussed various issues related to the two countries; these include working together on development projects
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Maldives and India also expressed interest in strengthening bilateral relations
Sunday's meeting ended after both sides agreed to hold a second meeting of the core group at a convenient date, the Foreign Ministry said.
Maldives has recently said that there are 88 Indian troops in Maldives. Maldives has now asked the Indian government to give a date for the withdrawal of Indian troops before March.
The meeting between Maldives and India came amid strong remarks by President Mohammed Muizzu to India. As such, the President said on Saturday upon his return from China:
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Maldives is not in the backyard of any country and the Indian Ocean is not the property of any particular country
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Maldives' small size does not allow any country the ‘licence’ to bully Maldives
Since taking office, President Muizzu has been taking steps to reduce the country’s dependence on India. To end dependence on a particular country, the President announced on Saturday:
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With the introduction of the national carrier's own air ambulance from March 1, Indian aircraft will not be used in emergency medical operations
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Discussions have been held with China to ensure sustainable food security
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An agreement has already been made with Turkey for the import of food staples; the first shipment under the agreement will arrive next month
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In order to stop importing pharmaceuticals from India, drugs are to be imported directly from Europe and the United States
