Jaishankar engages in talks with Maldivian Foreign Minister

New Delhi, Jan 19: In Kampala, Uganda, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer who are attending the NAM Summit, on the sidelines engaged in a candid discussion about the state of India-Maldives relations, with particular attention to the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives.

The dialogue occurred amidst heightened tensions following Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's request for the removal of Indian troops by March 15.

Jaishankar tweeted, "Met Maldives FM @MoosaZameer today in Kampala. A frank conversation on India-Maldives ties. Also discussed NAM-related issues."

In response, Zameer shared on the same platform, "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."

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed India's commitment to its development partnership with the Maldives, including the progression of various welfare projects.

Jaiswal highlighted the recent "High-Level Core Group" meeting in Male, primarily focused on the Indian troops' presence in the Maldives. He mentioned, "We remain committed to our projects and to take them forward. We have been an important development partner of the Maldives." The next Core Group meeting is scheduled to be held in New Delhi.

The bilateral ties between India and the Maldives have been under strain due to President Muizzu's pro-China stance and his pledge to remove Indian military personnel, a promise he made during his election campaign. The Maldives, a crucial maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region, experienced improved defence and security cooperation under the previous Maldivian government.