President Mohamed Muizzu has confirmed that all Indian military personnel will leave the Maldives by 10 May, declaring that no Indian troops would remain in uniform or civilian clothing. The statement came amid a growing rift with New Delhi, with Muizzu recently referring to India as a 'bully' of smaller nations. India’s external affairs minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, countered by noting that 'big bullies don’t provide $4.5bn aid', highlighting the substantial financial support India continues to give the Maldives.
This week, Muizzu’s government signed a defence agreement with China, the first of its kind, and received 12 ambulances from Beijing. The move marks a significant shift in the archipelago’s foreign policy, as it had previously maintained diplomatic and economic ties with China but avoided formal military cooperation. Azim Zahir, a former government adviser and professor at the University of Western Australia, expressed surprise at the speed of the shift, warning it would 'definitely escalate tensions in the region'.
The Maldives, an archipelago of 500,000 people, holds strategic importance due to its location along key shipping lanes for China’s oil supplies and its proximity to a US naval base. India has invested heavily in the country, overtaking China as the largest economic backer under the previous administration of Mohamed Solih, funding hospitals, schools, airports, and budget support. However, Muizzu’s election campaign ran on an 'India out' platform, criticising the presence of dozens of Indian troops operating emergency helicopters and aircraft.
Muizzu’s pro-China leanings were evident during his tenure as mayor of Malé, where he oversaw the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, a £150m project. His first presidential visit was to China, signing around 15 deals, and he has maintained his pledge to remove Indian troops. Tensions escalated further in January after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep to promote tourism, prompting some Maldivian ministers to label him a 'terrorist' and 'clown', leading to their suspension and calls in India for a tourist boycott of the Maldives.
