• Source:ANI
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India and Maldives have "agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel" from the island nation, said the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This came after a meeting, which was held on Sunday between the Maldives and India in Male'.

"During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, both sides reviewed the existing bilateral cooperation. Discussions were held on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including development cooperation," the Maldives' Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

"Both sides expressed willingness to intensify cooperation and agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel," it also said.

According to the official statement, it was agreed that the second meeting of the High-Level Core Group will be held at a mutually convenient time.

Earlier in the day,  Maldives and India were believed to have discussed how to find a solution that would allow the Indian aircraft platforms that serve the Maldivians' needs for medical and humanitarian evacuation to continue operating.

Enhancing bilateral cooperation and accelerating the implementation of ongoing projects were other topics of discussed during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu had asked the Indian government to withdraw the Indian troops from the island nation before March 15.

Abdulla Nazim, the Policy Director of the Maldives President's Office, told reporters that President Muizzu had proposed to withdraw Indian troops from the Maldives.

Notably, the removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was the main campaign of Muizzu's party. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed in the Maldives.

On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.

Earlier in December 2023, President Muizzu, following a discussion with the Indian government, had said that an agreement was reached to withdraw Indian military personnel.

(With ANI inputs)