New Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Formally Asks India to ‘Withdraw’ Military Troops

New Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu formally requested India to "withdraw" its military personnel from the island nation on Saturday, less than 24 hours after taking oath. He said the people of his country have given a "strong mandate" to make this request to New Delhi. It came when union minister Kiren Rijiju, who also attended the oath-taking ceremony, paid a courtesy call on the new president at his office. During his oath-taking on Friday (November 17), Muizzu said he was firmly committed to ensuring that his country remains "free" of any "foreign military presence" to preserve its independence and sovereignty….