Maldives Calls for Withdrawal of Indian Troops by March 15

Maldives Calls for Withdrawal of Indian Troops by March 15
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu speaks during a plenary session at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 1, 2023. Rafiq Maqbool/AP Photo
Reuters
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MALE—The Maldives has called for India to withdraw troops from its territory by March 15, an official said on Sunday, in a step that will further strain ties between the South Asian neighbors.

President Mohamed Muizzu won the election last year on a pledge to end the Maldives’ “India first” policy, in a region where New Delhi and Beijing compete for influence.