Additional discussions on exit of Indian troops to take place in India today

The next round of discussions between India and Maldives regarding the withdrawal of Indian troops in the Maldives will be held in India’s capital New Delhi today.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs’ Spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal has previously stated that the second meeting of the High-Level Core Group between Maldives and India will be held in India.

Maldivian Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Friday, said the second meeting of the High-Level Core Group will proceed in India’s New Delhi today, which will be attended by senior officials from both nations.

The High-Level Core Group was formed following a meeting between Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28.  

The first meeting of the group took place in the Maldivian Foreign Ministry in Male’ on January 14^th, during with both sides expressed willingness to intensify cooperation and agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel.

Commenting on the meeting, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said both sides discussed agreements executed between both nations and a wide range of issues of mutual interest including the development of cooperation.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a later statement said discussions were also held on enabling continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of Maldives.