Emergency Motion Submitted Amidst Discrepancies in Indian Soldier Numbers

The Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Baarah MP Ahmed Abdulla has submitted an emergency motion during today’s parliamentary sitting, calling for transparency in connection with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s announcement of the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives.

MP Ahmed Abdulla emphasised the need for public disclosure if any agreements have been reached concerning the withdrawal of Indian troops. The emergency motion extends to demanding the revelation of all previously executed agreements that Muizzu alleged could compromise the security and sovereignty of the Maldives.

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The parliamentary sitting saw the acceptance of the emergency motion, with 33 out of 36 participating members voting in favor, while three voted against it.

Addressing the parliament after the motion presentation, MP Ahmed Abdulla highlighted the conflicting reports regarding the number of Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives. He urged authorities to clarify crucial details, such as the exact number of soldiers, their locations in the Maldives, and the storage sites for their weapons.

The initial information provided by the current administration stated that there were 77 Indian soldiers during the transitional phase. However, during a press conference yesterday, Muizzu revised this figure, hinting at the possibility of further increases.

Muizzu, upon returning from COP28 in Dubai, revealed in an earlier press conference that the Indian government had agreed to withdraw its troops, a significant promise made during his electoral campaign. 

Despite this agreement, a specific date for the troop withdrawal has not been disclosed.