S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, reported on Thursday that he met Moosa Zameer, the counterpart from the Maldives, in Kampala, Uganda, and that the two leaders had a “frank conversation” about the bilateral relations.
“Met Maldives FM Moosa Zameer today in Kampala. A frank conversation on India-Maldives ties. Also discussed NAM-related issues,” Jaishankar wrote on X.’
Additionally, Zameer shared a picture from the meeting on social media, stating that he enjoyed seeing Jaishankar outside of the NAM Summit.
“We exchanged views on the ongoing high-level discussions on the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, as well as expediting the completion of ongoing development projects in the Maldives, and cooperation within SAARC and NAM,” he penned down. “We are committed to further strengthening and expanding our cooperation.”
“Indian military personnel cannot stay in the Maldives. This is the policy of President Mohamed Muizzu and that of this administration,” Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, principal secretary to the Maldivian president, mentioned in a press statement.
Although New Delhi has not yet responded to the demand formally, it has stated that more talks will be undertaken to find a solution. Remarkably, the Maldives is home to over 70 Indian servicemen in addition to two HAL Dhruv helicopters and two Dornier 228 maritime patrol planes.
Previous to this, a social media controversy had broke up earlier this month when the Maldivian deputy minister and a few other ministers made racial statements directed at India and made fun of Modi’s efforts to market Lakshadweep as a travel destination.
Following India’s vigorous pursuit of the matter with Male, the Maldivian government removed three ministers, Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid, and released a statement distancing itself from the politicians’ disparaging remarks.
