“President Dr Mohamed Muizzu formally made the request when he met the minister of earth sciences of India, Mr. Kiren Rijiju, at the President’s office earlier today,” the government of Maldives said in a statement.
The Maldives is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties including in areas of defence and security have been on an upward trajectory in the last few years.
Maldives: Pro-Chinese President-elect Muizzu announces ‘India Out’, to eject Indian Troops from country
Newly sworn-in Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu campaigned on a promise to evict Indian military personnel from the archipelago, but had asserted that he will achieve this through diplomatic means.
Muizzu had defeated the incumbent Ibrahim Solih, who was seen as more favourably inclined towards India, in a presidential run off last month.
Earlier today, Union minister Kiren Rijiju met the Mohamed Muizzu and reiterated India’s commitment to further strengthen the substantive bilateral cooperation and robust people-to-people ties.
Rijiju also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings to President Muizzu.
“Privileged to call on President H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Conveyed greetings from Hon’ble PM @NarendraModi and reiterated India’s commitment to further strengthen the substantive bilateral cooperation and robust people-to-people ties,” Rijiju posted on X after the meeting.
