The Maldives, a strategically positioned archipelago, is gearing up to fortify its military capabilities to safeguard its extensive maritime borders, as its new president announced the withdrawal of Indian troops from the region.

Mohamed Muizzu, in his inaugural speech to parliament, pledged to transform the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) into a modern and robust military force capable of patrolling the surrounding seas, which are vital for global shipping routes.

Muizzu made it clear that he declined to renew a 2019 agreement with a foreign nation, implicitly referring to India, for joint hydrographic surveying of the Maldives' numerous coral islands. He expressed reluctance to grant any foreign power the authority to map the Maldivian oceans and coastlines.

The Maldives, spanning approximately 800 kilometers across the equator, has emerged as a premier tourist destination in South Asia. However, recent tensions with India escalated when three junior ministers of Muizzu's administration allegedly disparaged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, calling him a "clown" and a "terrorist." These posts were later deleted.

In response, Indian celebrities urged their compatriots to boycott travel to the Maldives, advocating for domestic tourism instead. The Maldives heavily relies on tourism, which contributes significantly to its economy, with Indian tourists forming a crucial segment of foreign arrivals.

With the decision to reinforce its military capacities, the Maldives aims to assert sovereignty over its maritime territory while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.

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