India and Maldives Set to Hold Second Core Group Meeting in New Delhi
India and Maldives are scheduled to hold their second core group meeting in New Delhi to discuss the presence of Indian military personnel in the island nation, according to sources. The initial meeting took place on January 14 in Male.
During the first High-Level Core Group meeting, both countries agreed to expedite the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. The Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that discussions covered various areas of mutual interest, including development cooperation.
The second meeting of the High-Level Core Group will be held at a mutually convenient time, as agreed upon by both parties. In addition to the military personnel withdrawal, India and Maldives discussed finding a mutually workable solution to continue the operation of Indian aviation platforms providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the Maldivian people.
The removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was a key campaign promise of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s party. Currently, there are approximately 70 Indian troops stationed in the Maldives, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters.
President Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives shortly after assuming office. In December of last year, he announced that an agreement had been reached with the Indian government regarding the withdrawal.
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