Male: Former Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid on Saturday said that no armed foreign soldiers stationed in the country as was claimed by President Mohamed Muizzu about ‘thousands of Indian military personnel’.
The newly elected president of the Maldivian Democratic Party posted on X that Muizzu’s claims of presence of Indian soldiers in Maldives was just another in a string of lies, ANI reported.
‘100 days in, it's clear: President Muizzu's claims of 'thousands of Indian military personnel' were just another in a string of lies. The current administration's inability to provide specific numbers speaks volumes. There are no armed foreign soldiers stationed in the country,’ the post read.
President Mohamed Muizzu came to power whipping up an anti-India narrative during campaign calling for the removal of Indian troops from Maldives.
There are reportedly around 70 Indian troops and Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters stationed the island nation.
On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu requested India to withdraw troops, ANI reported.
Muizzu is known for his pro-China policies, visiting the country immediately after coming to power.
However, the island nation's two main opposition parties--the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats Party—have slammed Muizzu’s anti-India pivot.
As it turned out, Muizzu in last December claimed to have reached an agreement with India on the withdrawal of troops following talks.
Detailing further, he reportedly stated that based on negotiations the troops on one of the three aviation platforms will be withdrawn before March 10, 2024.
Alongside, those on the remaining two platforms will be withdrawn before May 10, 2024, according to the report.
Subsequently, the Ministry of External Affairs said earlier this month that military personnel at aviation platforms in the Maldives will be replaced with competent Indian technical personnel.