Maldives Urges India to Withdraw Military Presence

The new president of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel from the archipelago, citing the democratic will of the Maldivian people. While no official response has been given by India, it is understood that the two sides will discuss "workable solutions" for continued cooperation, particularly regarding the use of two helicopters and a maritime surveillance aircraft provided by India. Muizzu had campaigned on removing Indian military personnel and championed an "India Out" campaign, but also acknowledged the significant role of the aircraft in emergency medical evacuations.