Defense Chief meets High Commissioner

Chief of Defense Force Lieutenant General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef has met with High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Munu Mahawar on Monday, December 25.

At a meeting held on Monday at the MNDF Integrated Headquarters, Captain Deepak Bali, the Defense Advisor of the Indian Embassy, was also in attendance.

Abdul Raheem shared via X that the two discussed on maintaining ongoing military training activities, executed as collaborative efforts between the Maldives and India.

The two also discussed on ways to strengthen defense and security cooperation between the countries.

Following the meeting, High Commissioner Mahawar shared on X about his meeting with the Chief of Defense Force, and said that he looked forward to "working together to further enhance India-Maldives defense cooperation" on addressing shared security challenges.

While the Chief of Defense has met with the High Commissioner, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier affirmed government efforts to deport Indian soldiers, for which the countries had already held high-level discussions.

The repatriation of Indian soldiers from the Maldives is one of the key pledges of President Muizzu, who promised to commence efforts during the first 100 days of his presidency.

During the presidential campaign, the PPM/PNC coalition alleged the presence of over 100 Indian soldiers in the Maldives.

As the opposition, PPM/PNC coalition led the 'India-Out' efforts calling for the removal of foreign military personnel from the Maldives during the previous administration led by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The then ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) led government countered the coalition's efforts with extreme measures as well.