'Won't allow anyone to interfere with nation's sovereignty'; Indian troops will leave Maldives, says Mohamed Muizzu

MALE: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has strengthened his anti-India stance. Speaking in the parliament, Muizzu said that Maldives will not allow other countries to interfere or undermine the country's sovereignty. He also stated that India and Maldives have agreed that the Indian Army will completely withdraw from the Maldives by May 10.

"One group of Indian army will withdraw from the Maldives by March 10. The other two groups will pull out by May 10. Maldives will not renew the agreement with India to chart the country's inner and underwater charts. We will not allow any country to interfere with or undermine our sovereignty," he said.

However, the two main opposition parties in the Maldives, the MDP and the Democrats, boycotted Muizzu's speech. Out of 56 members, only 24 were there in the parliament to listen to the speech. Meanwhile, the opposition's process to impeach Muizu is underway.