Amid India's withdrawal of troops, Maldives signs new military pact with China

MALE: Amid India's phased removal of its troops in Maldives, the island nation has announced signing a military pact with China. Maldives have warned that after May 10, no Indian soldiers in uniform or civilian clothes should be in the country. It is interesting to note that Maldives' warning comes after forming a military pact with China.

Since coming to power in the country in 2023, Muizzu has been taking severe anti-India measures. He has received criticism within the country, but Muizzu is going ahead with his stance against India.

The withdrawal of troops from the Maldives poses a major security threat to India.

After a high-level meeting in Delhi on February 2, the Maldivian foreign minister had said that India would shift its troops operating at three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and that the first phase of the process should be carried out immediately.

For many years, the Indian Army continued to provide medical evacuation and other assistance to the people of the Maldives using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft. About 88 Indian soldiers were serving in the three aviation platforms used to provide these services.

Local media reports that the Maldives has reached out to Sri Lanka for assistance in emergency evacuation situations as Muizzu is trying to end all ties with India.