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

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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....