India compromised and signed, and Modi kept it in his heart
The military dynamics between India and the Maldives have been in the spotlight, and the Maldives' strong statement by Moiz prompted India to make a decision. According to the latest news, India has formally accepted the agreement to withdraw its troops from the Maldives, which is scheduled to be implemented on March 10 and May 10, respectively, marking the end of India's 35-year military presence in the country.
Behind this shift may be a deeper strategic consideration.
In the context of COP28, Maldives Moiz made a bold proposal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but India did not respond immediately. Because of India's long-standing military ties with the Maldives, India sees Muiz's move as more of a power-consolidating strategy.
However, Muiz showed tenacity and determination, defying the norm and choosing Turkey for the first visit, followed by China, broke with the diplomatic convention of India before other countries.
More crucially, Muiz publicly declared: "The sovereignty of the Maldives is inviolable, and it is not someone else's backyard." ”
Not to be outdone, the decisive decision to withdraw from the Maldives Moiz prompted India to respond with a series of visits to the Lakshadweep Islands.
Modi's move, which aims to attract tourists with the stunning scenery and cultural heritage of the Lakshadweep Islands, indirectly poses a potential threat to the Maldives' tourism industry. Tourism, which is crucial for the Maldives, accounted for half of the country's economy in 2022 (583%), and provide more than 70% of jobs.
The contest provoked a strong backlash from Maldivian politicians, who unequivocally criticized Modi on social media, and the turmoil instantly ignited tensions in India-Malaysia relations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown a unique approach. To ease tensions in the Maldives, the two countries held a key meeting in New Delhi. However, the statement after the meeting was stark: the Maldives made it clear that India would begin withdrawing its troops after March 10 and all by May 10, demonstrating a clear commitment.
India's statement, however, was vague, offering no specific withdrawal plan, saying only that the two sides agreed on a "workable option". This reveals the differences over the withdrawal and the diplomatic rivalry behind it.
India's military presence in the Maldives is of far-reaching strategic significance, and the Maldives**'s request is essentially a challenge to India's regional ambitions and a determination to defend national sovereignty.
Modi's decision was by no means simple, and the withdrawal was not an easy one. Although India has only 89 troops stationed, the retreat is cautious and diplomatic.
Relations between India and the Maldives have not been calm, especially after Mouiz's demand for a tough withdrawal has become more sensitive. India views the Maldives as a strategic location, with necessities and energy support.
As a result, New Delhi may expect to exert pressure on Moiz on multiple fronts to influence his position and find a compromise during his visit.
Maldives Moiz faces a subtle turn in domestic politics. His firm stance touched a nerve in the opposition, with Republicans and Democrats acting separately, with Republicans demanding that he formally apologize to Modi to repair India-Malaysia relations, and the Democrats even put forward a motion showing their differences over foreign policymaking.
This reveals the challenges of Moiz's foreign policy at home, and his urgent need to seek harmony between domestic and foreign policies. Therefore, India's withdrawal is not just a change at the military level, but a deep strategy to wait and see how things unfold.
This troop withdrawal turmoil is actually a miniature version of the international strategic contest.