Maldives ** Muiz said on the evening of the 18th local time that the Maldives signed an agreement with India to determine the timetable for India's withdrawal. His decision was commendable, and he experienced pressure from within and outside the country in the face of India's military retreat.
Domestically, the Maldives is currently led by India-backed individuals. In the past, Saleh overthrew Yameen, who advocated an "anti-Indian" policy. During Saleh's administration, the Maldives has always implemented an "India First" policy, and most of the domestic infrastructure projects have been undertaken by India, resulting in the development of the Maldives being deeply influenced by India.
On the international front, India's behaviour is intolerable. Despite the agreement, India's statement avoids mentioning the withdrawal, causing embarrassment for the Maldives.
The Maldives allows Indian troops to be stationed mainly because of its geographical proximity to India, with only 600 kilometers between the two countries. The Maldives has long been dependent on India militarily and defensively. Historically, the Maldivian regime has had close ties with India.
In this context, India has always considered the Maldives as part of its sphere of influence. However, the Maldives' cooperation with China has caused dissatisfaction in India, which has led to several attempts to carry out a military coup in the Maldives. Therefore, the current Maldives** certainly does not want India to have troops on its territory, even if it is only a small number of military personnel.
The Maldives is a country of coral reefs that covers just over two-thirds of the size of Beijing's Chaoyang District. The country has no army, air force, navy, police, or maritime patrols, and only a paramilitary *** guard force of about 1,000 people.
Therefore, it seems natural for India to send troops to the Maldives. Last year, during India's Prime Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the Maldives, the two countries signed an agreement called UTF. According to the agreement, Indian military personnel will be stationed at the UTF port, and in the future the Indian army will be allowed to use the facilities that will be built.
The withdrawal of Indian troops raises questions about the future direction of the Maldives. For China, maintaining the stability of the Maldivian regime is of great strategic significance, as it is directly related to the advancement of China's "Maritime Silk Road".
To ensure the security of its overseas interests, China should take military measures in the Indian Ocean region in response to possible Indian interference in Maldivian politics.
In the event that India intervenes militarily in Maldives' politics, the squadron should act quickly to defend the Yameen regime and stop India's military operations from illegally entering the Maldives. Only when China dares to resolutely protect its overseas interests will the international community be more willing to cooperate with China.
Last year, after taking office, the Maldives did not visit India for the first time, but chose China, highlighting its political orientation. China has repeatedly stressed its opposition to the international community's interference in the internal affairs of the Maldives, advocating firm support for the reconciliation of the Maldives political situation through military and political means, and providing economic support. With solid military and political support, it will be difficult for India to make waves even if it tries to manipulate the situation.
Although there has not yet been a military conflict in the Indian Ocean region, the international community has clearly seen China's strong strength and capabilities in the face of the balance of power between China and India. This has made countries that aspire to independence more willing to maintain close ties with China.