Indo-Maldives Military Exercise

Despite recent diplomatic gestures, India-Maldives relations remain tense as the Maldives reviews three agreements with India, citing sovereignty concerns

Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer on Saturday said 76 Indian military personnel were replaced by civilian employees of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited which manufactured the helicopters gifted by India, thus also ending the suspense over the exact number of those repatriated. The Indian military personnel, stationed in the Maldives to operate two platforms for helicopters and a Dornier aircraft used primarily for medical evacuations, were repatriated by Friday, as per the May 10 deadline set following an agreement between the two countries in February in New Delhi. That agreement was a result of the demand of pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu made within hours of his assuming office in November. Local media reports on Saturday quoted Zameer addressing a press conference a day after he returned from his first official visit to India, detailing the presence of Indian soldiers stationed in Hanimaadhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan. As many as 26 soldiers withdrew from Gan betwe

The government MPs have further moved a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem, who is also an MDP MP

It is the first session of Parliament this year. The presidential statement will be made on Monday at 9 a.m. by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, according to Mihaaru

Bilateral relationship between India and Maldives involves defence cooperation, with Indian soldiers training Maldivian counterparts in combat, reconnaissance, and participating in rescue operations

The two countries have set up a committee to discuss India's deployment in the archipelago, the officials said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private

India and the Maldives are in discussions for keeping the Indian military platforms in the island nation and a core group that both sides agreed to set up will look at the details relating to it, official sources said on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu reportedly told journalists that New Delhi has agreed to withdraw its military personnel from his country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Muizzu held talks on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai on Friday and it is understood that the issue had figured in the meeting. "The issue was briefly discussed in Dubai," said a source. Following the meeting between Modi and Muizzu, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the two leaders also discussed ways to further deepen bilateral partnership, adding: "In this regard, they agreed to set up a core group." The sources said the Maldivian side has acknowledged the utility of the Indian military platforms. "The fact that it is an important segme

The crisis in the island nation began on February 1 when the Supreme Court unanimously overturned the terrorism conviction of former president Mohamed Nasheed on several charges

After the Maldives signed an FTA with China in a surprise move, New Delhi said it expected the Indian Ocean nation to be sensitive to its concerns