The Maldives and India have engaged in discussions to enhance defence cooperation, signalling a thaw in relations between the two Indian Ocean neighbours, which remain strained after President Mohamed Muizzu asked India to withdraw its troops stationed in the Maldives.
The discussions took place on Monday during a meeting between Lieutenant General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, the Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), and Munu Mahawar, the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives. The meeting, held at the MNDF Integrated Headquarters, was also attended by Captain Deepak Bali, the Defence Advisor of the Indian High Commission.
The discussions focused on maintaining and strengthening ongoing military training activities, a collaborative effort between the two nations. High Commissioner Mahawar expressed his anticipation for enhancing defence cooperation to address shared security challenges.
The meeting comes against a backdrop of an ongoing political controversy. The current administration, led by President Mohamed Muizzu, had previously criticised the former administration for its military ties with India. The ‘India Out’ campaign, spearheaded by the opposition during the tenure of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, called for the removal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. The campaign alleged the presence of over 100 Indian soldiers in the country, a figure disputed by various sources.
President Muizzu, affirming his campaign pledges, has initiated efforts to remove Indian soldiers in the Maldives. This action aligns with one of his key promises made during the first 100 days of his presidency.
The complexity of the Maldives-India relationship is further highlighted by the ongoing search for 18-year-old Mohamed Naeesh, who disappeared while diving for lobster off Gan in Addu City. The MNDF has conducted an extensive search covering significant areas by air, sea, and diving. However, the operation has faced scrutiny due to the MNDF’s use of an aircraft from the Maldivian Aviation Academy instead of the traditional Dornier aircraft operated by Indian forces.
This decision, reflecting the current administration’s stance on reducing Indian military involvement, has sparked concern from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The MDP, citing the effectiveness of previous joint operations with foreign countries, has urged the government to use of all available resources, including the India-gifted aircraft, in the search efforts for Naeesh.