Despite not directly discussing the removal of Indian soldiers based in the Maldives with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday night characterized Modi's remarks as an implicit agreement from India to take back the troops.
The President met the Indian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the COP28 summit held in the UAE.
Speaking at a press conference at the Velana International Airport after concluding visits to Türkiye and UAE, the President said he had officially asked the Indian government to take back the soldiers a day after taking the oath of office.
"So it has been officially proposed. And the Indian government has agreed to take back the soldiers during [talks] before that and during all the other efforts to date," he said.
President Muizzu brought up the topic concerning his meeting with Modi but did not clearly say whether the removal of the troops had been discussed. A journalist then asked the President for details of what Modi said regarding the removal of Indian soldiers.
"Could you say in more detail what the top leader of India told the President on the problem of Indian soldiers?" the journalist asked.
In response, the President said the government was doing the work of sending back Indian soldiers wisely and through stages. However, he did not say whether the issue of Indian soldiers was directly discussed during the meeting.
"He said at the meeting that we respect the democratic decision of the Maldivian people, that relations between the two countries are important, that going forward with acceptance of the democratic decision would be best for the Maldives and the region," Muizzu said.
As the removal of Indian soldiers had been discussed at various meetings before the meeting with Modi, Muizzu interpreted Modi's remarks to include the topic.
"The democratic decision of the Maldivian people is that we want to remove Indian soldiers from here. Fifty-four percent has certainly said that," the President said, referring to the result of the presidential election.
The people's decision was "acknowledged" during the meeting with Modi, he said.
Aside from disclosing that the number of Indian soldiers was 77, the government has not revealed any information about any diplomatic efforts undertaken for their removal.
The Indian personnel included 50 soldiers for flying two helicopters, 25 soldiers for operating a Dornier aircraft and two soldiers specialized in engineering.
The figure was only two higher than the number disclosed by the previous government in 2021. President Muizzu did not confirm the number last night.
Muizzu evaded questions about the discrepancy between the official figure and claims made during the presidential election campaign that there were thousands of Indian troops in the Maldives.
"I will just have to check further on that number. I will check the number and tell you," he said.
The President did not give a straight answer when Adhadhu asked whether the soldiers were remaining in the Maldives by force and if a date had been set for their departure.
He also did not say whether a decision has been made to stop the operations of the helicopters and Dornier aircraft.
"All of those details are being discussed now at a professional level," he replied.
