New Delhi: In the upcoming high-level core group talks next month, India plans to address the modalities and timing of withdrawing Indian defence personnel, who operate two ALH helicopters, one Dornier aircraft, and an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) in the Maldives.
The Mohammed Muizzu government has demanded the withdrawal of personnel by March 15, just before the crucial Majlis election on March 17. The first meeting of the core group on January 14 and 15 saw the Maldivian representative requesting the replacement of defence personnel with civilian crew by the specified date. New Delhi’s response, expected in the February round, will depend on the availability of civilian crew for the surveillance assets.
The Maldivian assets, including two ALH helicopters, one Dornier aircraft, and one OPV, have been grounded amid President Muizzu’s anti-India campaign ahead of the Majlis elections. The Maldivian Democratic Party, which favors maintaining ties with India, won the Male mayoral election on January 14.
President Muizzu may seek support from Beijing to replace Indian assets with Chinese ones, but this move could cost upwards of $10 million, a significant burden for the cash-strapped Maldivian economy. Notably, during talks, the only substantive issue regarding India raised by Male was the withdrawal of defence personnel, with no discussion on the India-funded Greater Male Connectivity Project, the largest infra project in the Maldives.
President Muizzu’s recent visit to Beijing and his comments afterward suggest a potential shift towards China for funds and resources. However, experts caution against such a move, citing Sri Lanka’s experience with Chinese debt and involvement. Maldives’ debts to China and India amount to 30% and 10% of its GDP, and it has to pay $100 million to India this year as per its debt repayment schedule.
