Maldives asks India to withdraw its military presence by March 15

Muizzu's proposal comes just days after he returned from China.

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The Maldivian President, who is pro-China, had fought his elections last year on anti-India plank.

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Soon after coming to power, he formally asked New Delhi to withdraw its troops from Maldives.

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Amid a diplomatic row with India, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has proposed that New Delhi withdraw its military presence from the archipelago nation before March 15,

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India Today reported on Sunday. Muizzu's proposal comes just days after he returned from China.

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The Maldivian President, who is pro-China, had fought his elections last year on anti-India plank.

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Soon after coming to power, he formally asked New Delhi to withdraw its troops from Maldives

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At present, around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, are stationed in the Maldives.

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The removal of Indian troops was the main campaign weapon of Muizzu's party.

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Last month, government sources told India Today that the troop withdrawal issue was briefly discussed during the meeting between

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Maldivian President on the sidelines of the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai.

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