The Maldives is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean and consists of more than a thousand islands and reefs. It is famous for its pristine white sand beaches and blue skies and blue seas, and is a popular holiday destination for many tourists. However, in this picturesque place, there was once a shadow of hegemony looming. It is the presence of the Indian army.
Looking back at history, in December 1988, there was a coup d'état in the Maldives. The coup soldiers surrounded the ** province, and the situation was very volatile. Facing internal and external troubles, the Maldives** urgently requested India to send troops to rescue. India then sent its troops to carry out a military intervention under the pretext of "helping to stabilize the situation in the Maldives", known as Operation Cactus.
During this operation, Indian troops quickly landed in the Maldives, took control of Malé International Airport, and captured Malé, the capital of the Maldives, in a single day, successfully rescuing the Maldives**. This military operation became one of the most successful legal interventions since World War II and established India's military presence in the Maldives.
Since then, Indian troops have been stationed in the Maldives, built military bases and maritime surveillance radar stations, and provided military assistance. This has allowed India to become a hegemon in the region as a growing influence in the Maldives.
However, time has passed, and the political situation in the Maldives has changed dramatically. In 2018, elections were held in the Maldives, and Muiz was elected as the new one. His oath of office was considered by India to be a pro-China faction in the country. Relations with the Indian military presence in the Maldives have been in turmoil.
On December 4, 2021, Muiz announced that the Indian army had agreed to withdraw from the Maldives, ending a 35-year presence in the country. This decision has sparked widespread attention and discussion.
Why would the Maldives' new ** Muiz ask India to withdraw its troops?Let's take a closer look at this issue.
First, the Maldives is a sovereign and independent country that has the right to make its own decisions on its own security and foreign policy. As the new leader, Muiz asked India to withdraw its troops based on his own judgment and consideration of national interests. He believes that the Maldives should say "no" to foreign troops and regain its military sovereignty.
Secondly, the new Maldives' new Moiz has always been considered pro-Chinese by India. This may also be a big reason why he asked India to withdraw its troops. India** believes that the Maldivian people are moving closer to China, suggesting that China is tricking them behind the scenes to demand that the Indian army withdraw. However, this view lacks substantial evidence to support it.
Finally, the Maldives has become a well-known holiday destination, with the whole country trying to preserve and develop the tourism industry. The presence of garrisons can adversely affect the psychology of tourists, thereby harming the development of tourism. As a result, the Maldives decided to end its garrison and make it a country without any foreign troops. This will help the Maldives further consolidate its international image and tourism development.
As for the reason for India's withdrawal, the Indian media generally believe that it is the result of the Maldives' new pro-China policy. They believe that the Maldivian people are moving closer to China, suggesting that China is behind the scenes to trick them into demanding that the Indian army withdraw. However, this view lacks substantial evidence to support it. In fact, the Maldives** advocates an independent security and foreign policy and does not particularly lean towards either side.
The impact of India's withdrawal on the Maldives and India also requires further observation and assessment. For its part, the Maldives will regain its military sovereignty and be able to make its own decisions on its own security and foreign policy. This will further consolidate the sovereignty and international image of the Maldives and contribute to the development of tourism.
For India, the withdrawal could have some implications for its geopolitical interests in the Indian Ocean region. The Maldives is an important geopolitical node in the Indian Ocean, and the presence of Indian troops has been a way for India to consolidate its influence in the region. As a result, India's withdrawal could weaken its geopolitical advantage in the region.
In conclusion, the Maldives has demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops, and the Indian army has agreed to withdraw. This marks the end of India's long-term military presence in the Maldives, which will not have any foreign troops in the future. For the Maldives, this is an important step in regaining military sovereignty. For India, the withdrawal could affect its geopolitical interests in the Indian Ocean region. Further observation and assessment of the specific impact of the withdrawal on both sides are needed.