Maldives Signs Military Assistance Pact with China, Orders Indian Troops to Depart

The Maldives has entered into a “military assistance” pact with China, coinciding with the directive for Indian military personnel stationed in the strategic archipelago to vacate, according to official statements on Tuesday.

By May 10, a contingent of 89 Indian military members will have departed, complying with a mandate from President Mohamed Muizzu. Muizzu, who ascended to the presidency advocating an anti-India stance, had previously mandated their exit.

Late Monday, the Maldivian Ministry of Defence disclosed the signing of a pact regarding “China’s provision of military assistance” to the Maldives. This agreement, described as “gratis”, implying no financial obligations, was detailed minimally. The ministry articulated this move as a step towards enhancing “stronger bilateral relations,” sharing this development on the social media platform X.

India views China’s escalating influence in the Indian Ocean with apprehension, noting its activities in the Maldives and neighbouring Sri Lanka with concern.

The geographic positioning of these island nations is pivotal, lying midway along crucial international maritime corridors.

Relations between the Maldives and India have cooled following Muizzu’s electoral victory in September. In a rally north of the Maldives’ capital, Muizzu pledged to remove Indian military presence from Maldivian territory by May 10, aligning with the planned withdrawal schedule.

The Indian forces primarily operated three reconnaissance aircraft, gifts from New Delhi, to aid the Maldives in patrolling its extensive maritime boundaries.

India plans to substitute the departing military personnel with civilians to manage the aircraft operations, as indicated by the Maldives’ defence ministry last month, which also noted the arrival of Indian civilian crews.

In a gesture of a shift towards Beijing, the Maldives permitted a Chinese research vessel into its waters last month after Sri Lanka denied it entry due to Indian objections, branding it a surveillance vessel.

Additionally, China contributed 12 electric ambulances to the Maldives on Sunday, as the nation’s health ministry acknowledged.