The withdrawal of some 50 Indian military personnel from bases in the Maldives will go ahead on schedule.
Hina Waleed, Spokesperson of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives and People's National Congress, announced that the complete withdrawal of over 51 Indian personnel, along with remaining equipment and facilities, will be compete by May 10.
Waleed pointed out that Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu had already highlighted the fact that "at the moment there are 51 Indian military personnel" in Indian Ocean archipelago nation of half a million people.
There are also 80 technical staff stationed there to maintain two HAL Dhruv utility helicopters and one Dornier 228 light transport plane. The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs insists that equipment is for humanitarian purposes, aimed at aiding the Maldivian population.
India has assisted the Maldives with training, equipment transfer and facilit is construction, in alignment with Muizzu's election pledge to end the Indian military presence in the republic.
New Delhi and Male conducted a thorough assessment of the ongoing withdrawal of Indian military personnel from Maldives on Friday, in light of the Maldivian government's deadline of May 10.
The fourth significant bilateral meeting took place in New Delhi between the groups responsible for managing the transition of Indian military personnel alongside civilian experts.
Relations between India and the Maldives have worsened since Muizzu's inauguration in November. The previous Maldivian government had increased defence and security cooperation with New Delhi.
Muizzu campaigned in the September 2023 presidential election on an India-out initiative. Upon taking office, he reaffirmed his pledge to expel Indian military forces.