Second batch of Indian troops withdrawn

The second batch of Indian troops in the Maldives have been withdrawn, President Dr Mohammed Muizzu revealed.

President Muizzu stated that the second batch of Indian troops returned to India on the 9th of this month.

“The work has gone to the point where the two sides agreed on a timetable, in three batches, with troops on three platforms, the first team has already been withdrawn, and now on April 9, the second team has withdrawn,” he said.

He said the remaining Indian troops would leave for India on the 10th of next month.

"So the promise will be fulfilled, all the foreign troops here will leave before May 10. If I pledge a promise, I will try to do it to the fullest," he said.

The withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives is one of President Muizzu's most important presidential promises. On the day of his swearing-in, President Muizzu officially requested India to withdraw its troops from the Maldives.

Since then, Maldives and India have held high-level talks on Indian military matters. During the talks, the two countries agreed to withdraw Indian troops from the Maldives by March 10.