Amidst regional tensions, the recent withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives has sparked reactions from China, signaling potential shifts in regional dynamics and foreign relations. The move comes after the Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu requested India to withdraw its forces from the archipelago island, raising questions about territorial sovereignty and strategic alliances in the Indian Ocean region.
The first batch of Indian military troops stationed in the Maldives reportedly began withdrawing from the country following President Muizzu’s request. As reported by Mihaaru newspaper, 25 Indian troops deployed in the southernmost atoll of Addu left the Maldives ahead of the March 10 deadline. The withdrawal process was said to have commenced after the Indian military personnel handed over the operations of surveillance aircraft/helicopters to an Indian civilian crew.
While there was no official confirmation from either the Maldivian or Indian authorities, Mihaaru claimed that the Maldivian National Defence Force confirmed the withdrawal of Indian troops. This development follows President Muizzu’s earlier statement in January, where he urged India to withdraw nearly 90 military personnel from the Maldives. He later announced that no Indian military personnel, including those in civilian attire, would be allowed in the country after May 10.
The withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives has drawn attention from China, with spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressing China’s support for the Maldives in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty. Wenbin’s statement, reported by China’s state media Global Times, emphasized China’s stance on maintaining friendly cooperation with all sides based on independence. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson’s response underscores China’s interest in the region and its strategic positioning vis-à-vis India.
In response to inquiries about the specifics of the Indian troop withdrawal, Wang Wenbin stated that he was not aware of the details. However, his affirmation of China’s support for the Maldives reflects China’s broader foreign policy objectives and regional interests. China’s engagement with the Maldives and other South Asian countries has intensified in recent years through infrastructure projects, economic assistance, and military cooperation, raising concerns among Indian policymakers about China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region.
The withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives comes amidst a backdrop of geopolitical competition between India and China in the Indian Ocean. Both countries have sought to expand their influence in the region through infrastructure development, economic partnerships, and military cooperation with smaller Indian Ocean littoral states. The Maldives, strategically located in the Indian Ocean, has become a focal point in this power struggle, with both India and China vying for influence in the archipelago.
China’s reaction to the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives underscores its strategic interests in the region and its efforts to consolidate its influence in South Asia. In addition to expressing support for the Maldives’ territorial sovereignty, China has been actively engaging with other countries in the region, including Sri Lanka and Nepal, to strengthen defense ties and deepen cooperation on regional security issues. The recent visit of a Chinese military delegation to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal highlights China’s growing military presence and influence in South Asia.
In recent years, China has stepped up its engagement with the Maldives through investments in infrastructure projects and economic assistance. The signing of a “military assistance” deal between China and the Maldives, under which China will provide ‘non-lethal’ weapons to the Maldives free of cost, reflects China’s expanding military cooperation with Indian Ocean littoral states. This deal, along with other Chinese investments in the Maldives, has raised concerns in India about China’s growing influence and strategic presence in the region.
The withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, territorial sovereignty and China’s response to the development highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Indian Ocean region. As major powers like India and China compete for influence in the strategically important region, smaller states like the Maldives find themselves caught in the middle, balancing between competing interests and strategic partnerships. The evolving security environment in the Indian Ocean underscores the need for regional cooperation and dialogue to address common challenges and maintain peace and stability in the region.