The relationship between India and the Maldives has reached a critical point as President Mohamed Muizzu seeks to diminish India's influence and strengthen ties with China. Tensions escalated after Muizzu's recent visit to China, India's regional rival, where he criticized India. In response, Muizzu formally requested New Delhi to remove its military personnel by March 15, 2024, marking a significant downturn in diplomatic ties.

Muizzu, who came to power in September, has been vocal about reducing India's influence on the island nation, preferring closer ties with China. Both India and China have been competing for influence in the Maldives, investing heavily in infrastructure projects and extending loans. The Maldives, with its 1,192 coral islands strategically located in global shipping lanes, has become a focal point in this geopolitical rivalry.

Traditionally, India has considered the Maldives within its sphere of influence, given its proximity and strategic importance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Maldives, a key maritime neighbor, plays a crucial role in India's initiatives such as 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the 'Neighbourhood First Policy.'

During Muizzu's recent state visit to Beijing, China and the Maldives elevated their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership," paving the way for increased Chinese investments. The Maldives currently owes China $1.37 billion, constituting around 20% of its public debt.

The presence of Indian military personnel in the Maldives, around 70 in number, is a result of India's Neighbourhood First policy. India operates radars, helicopters, and aircraft in the Maldives, providing essential services such as medical evacuations and patrolling the Indian Ocean waters.

The recent request for the withdrawal of Indian troops stems from Muizzu's commitment to building stronger ties with China, a promise made during his election campaign in 2023. Muizzu's anti-India rhetoric intensified after his election, and tensions heightened when junior ministers reportedly disparaged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. Muizzu, during his visit to China, emphasized that the Maldives, though small, will not tolerate bullying from larger nations. The situation remains tense as India and the Maldives navigate their complex diplomatic relations.

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Not only Lakshadweep, these seven islands of India give competition to Maldives