Maldives Shifts Foreign Policy, Demands Indian Troop Withdrawal

President Muizzu Strengthens Ties with China, Reduces Dependence on India

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has demanded that India withdraw its troops stationed in the country by mid-March, marking a shift in the island nation's foreign policy.
President Muizzu, seen as a pro-China leader, recently visited China where the two nations upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and signed 20 important agreements.
Muizzu's government has taken steps to reduce Maldives' dependence on India, including expanding healthcare services to include hospitals in Thailand and the UAE, and importing medicines directly from manufacturers in Europe and the US.
Agreements were also signed with the Chinese government to assist the Maldives in expanding agricultural growth and reducing its dependence on India for imported staple foods such as rice, sugar, and flour.
The recent developments have strained the diplomatic relations between India and Maldives, with social media campaigns in India calling for a boycott of Maldives as a tourist destination.