Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday highlighted the need to fortify the military capabilities of the island nation and augment its modern capabilities for a comprehensive defence strategy encompassing terrestrial, aerial, and maritime domains.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday said that India and Maldives have agreed to send back the first group of Indian troops deployed in Maldives before March 10 this year.
India will replace its military personnel in one of the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by March 10 and will complete the replacement by May 10, according to the Maldives Foreign Ministry.
During the meeting, the two nations continued their discussions on wide-ranging issues related to bilateral cooperation towards identifying steps to strengthen the partnership.
India and Maldives "agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel" from the island nation, the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said following the first core group meeting.
The event organised on the occasion of Republic Day commenced with the unfurling of the national flag by the High Commission, Munu Mahawar, followed by the singing of the national anthem, the Indian High Commission in the Maldives said in a statement.
Amid the ongoing diplomatic row between New Delhi and Male, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu extended his greetings to India on the occasion of 75th Republic Day.
Taking to X, EAM Jaishankar shared about the meeting saying, "Met Maldives FM @MoosaZameer today in Kampala. A frank conversation on India-Maldives ties. Also discussed NAM-related issues."
Amid the India-Maldives row, the All-India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) President Suresh Shyamlal appealed to the Indian Film Industry "to not shoot in Maldives"