The News Freedom
New Delhi, January 14
The first meeting of the India-Maldives high-level core group convened in Male on a pivotal topic that involved securing a mutually agreeable solution for the continued operation of Indian aviation platforms providing crucial humanitarian and medical evacuation services to Maldives today. Both sides acknowledged the importance of these platforms in aiding the Maldivian people.
Despite the undercurrent of tension, the high level core group meeting emphasized finding common ground. The commitment to hold the next meeting in India on a mutually agreed date signals a willingness to continue dialogue and navigate the current challenges facing the partnership.
In addition to it, discussions spanned diverse areas, seeking to enhance bilateral cooperation through practical measures. Accelerating ongoing development projects was a key focus, ensuring tangible benefits reach Maldivians, said the External Affairs Ministry. .
Just hours before the talks, Maldives’ public policy secretary, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, reiterated President Muizzu’s formal demand for the withdrawal of 88 Indian military personnel by March 15. This request, made in December, has stirred diplomatic ripples and casts uncertainty over the future of security cooperation.