President Mohamed Muizzu declared on Monday that the first batch of Indian military personnel stationed in the island nation would be withdrawn before March 10, with the remaining troops on two aviation platforms leaving by May 10.

During his inaugural speech to Parliament, Muizzu, who is viewed as pro-China, emphasized that the majority of Maldivians supported his administration's aim to remove foreign military presence and reclaim lost ocean territory.

"We will not enter into any agreements that jeopardize our sovereignty," reported The Edition newspaper.

Shortly after assuming office on November 17, Muizzu formally asked India to withdraw 88 military personnel by March 15, citing a "strong mandate" from Maldivian citizens.

"Diplomatic discussions with other nations are ongoing. We have requested India to withdraw its troops. Talks indicate that personnel on one aviation platform will leave by March 10, and the rest by May 10," Muizzu informed Parliament.

Following recent bilateral talks, India announced on February 2 that mutually acceptable solutions had been reached to sustain operations of Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives.

Indian military personnel have primarily operated two helicopters and an aircraft for medical evacuations and humanitarian missions in the Maldives for several years.

Muizzu affirmed his administration's commitment to safeguarding sovereignty and resisting external pressures that could compromise independence.

"The blessing of independence is invaluable. We will not yield to external pressures that threaten our sovereignty," stated the President, without specifying any country.

The Maldives' strategic location near India, just 70 nautical miles from Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland, underscores its significance in the Indian Ocean Region's commercial sea lanes.

As India's maritime neighbor, the Maldives plays a crucial role in initiatives like "SAGAR" (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the "Neighbourhood First Policy" of the Narendra Modi government.

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