Bilateral relations between India and the Maldives had soured with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, before his election win, driving his political campaign on the “India Out” plank. After his election as president in November 2023, he insisted that India’s troops stationed in the Maldives leave. Subsequently, India withdrew its military personnel in multiple batches.In the past, India had stationed its military personnel to operate two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft in the Maldives, which performed humanitarian and medical evacuation services. These have since been replaced by civilians with the necessary technical expertise.The Maldives is a key maritime neighbor of India in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a special place in India’s ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.As reported earlier, relations appeared to be improving with the fifth Defense Cooperation Dialogue between India and the Maldives, which took place in New Delhi in September 2024. The Indian delegation was led by Defense Secretary Giridhar Aramane, while the Maldivian delegation was headed by the Chief of the Defence Force of the Maldives National Defence Force, General Ibrahim Hilmy.
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