Why Are Indian Soldiers in Maldives? Unpacking the Historical Context

The 'India Out' campaign, which gained momentum in 2020, has been criticized for exaggerating the role of Indian soldiers in the Maldives and portraying their presence as a threat to national security.

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Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has officially requested India to withdraw its military personnel from the country by March 15, marking a significant development nearly two months after the Maldives initially sought their removal. The request comes following the establishment of a high-level core group by Maldives and India to negotiate the withdrawal of troops.

The core group convened its first meeting at the Foreign Ministry Headquarters in Male on Sunday, where discussions were held regarding the timeline and modalities of the withdrawal. Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar also attended the meeting, according to reports from Maldivian media.

While the Indian government has not immediately confirmed or commented on the report, the move signifies a diplomatic effort to address concerns and navigate the relationship between the two nations.

Contrary to the ‘India Out’ rhetoric within Maldives, it’s important to note that no large contingent of Indian soldiers is stationed on the archipelago. According to the latest government figures, there are 77 Indian military personnel in the Maldives. These soldiers have been involved in training Maldivian troops in combat, reconnaissance, and rescue-aid operations.

The ‘India Out’ campaign, which gained momentum in 2020, has been criticized for exaggerating the role of Indian soldiers in the Maldives and portraying their presence as a threat to national security. Analysts in both the Maldives and India argue that the campaign has overlooked the historical cooperation between the two countries, including India’s assistance during the attempted coup in 1988.

India and the Maldives share a longstanding history of collaboration in various sectors, with defense being a key aspect. The deployment of Indian troops for an actual military operation occurred in November 1988 when they thwarted an attempted coup at the request of then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Over the past three decades, Maldives has generally appreciated India’s role in this critical episode.

The current negotiations between the high-level core group indicate a diplomatic effort to address concerns and maintain the historically positive relationship between India and the Maldives. The outcome of these talks will be closely watched as both countries seek an amicable resolution to the issue of military personnel withdrawal.

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