India has withdrawn all military personnel from the Maldives in line with the May 10 deadline set by President Mohamed Muizzu, according to a government spokesperson.
Muizzu, who is widely seen as a pro-China leader, had campaigned for the office of President on the back of a pledge to repatriate all Indian military personnel stationed on the archipelago.
The Indian military personnel were stationed for technical assistance and maintenance of helicopters and transport aircraft that the Indian government had provided.
Muizzu’s pro-China stance has put bilateral relations between India and the Maldives under considerable strain.
The Maldives Foreign Minister, Moosa Zameer visited India in an official trip last week to meet with his Indian counterpart, Subramanyam Jaishankar, to discuss bilateral ties and regional security matters.
The Indian military personnel stationed in the island nation also maintained radar stations and surveillance flights in the region, which forms a strategically important waterway for both New Delhi and Beijing.