IndiaTheNews Exclusive: Muizzu agreed only by sending the Indian team back, after China why is Maldives now getting closer to Turkey?

This week in IndiaTheNews News Network’s special program Shaurya Path, we wanted to know from Brigadier Shri DS Tripathi ji (Retd) that Maldives has signed new defense agreements with China after India’s decision to send back civilian forces and in the maritime sector. How do you view the purchase of drones from Turkey for patrolling? In response to this, he said that Maldives has purchased drones from Turkey to patrol the country’s maritime zone. He said that this information has come to light at a time when China has just signed a defense cooperation agreement with Maldives a few days ago to provide free military assistance to boost bilateral relations with Maldives. He said that the report states that the exact number of drones purchased is not clear and neither has there been any official confirmation in this regard from the Maldives Defense Ministry or Foreign Ministry. He said that it is being told that the drones are currently at Nunu Maafaru International Airport.

Brigadier Shri DS Tripathi (Retd) said that Maldives leaning towards Turkey along with China is actually showing India that it is moving away from it. He said that Turkey’s attitude towards India is well known. In such a situation, it has been seen in recent years that whenever Turkey feels that the relations of any country with India are deteriorating or going on under tension, then it keeps trying to woo it. Turkey offers help to the country which is angry with India or makes some other populist proposal so that it gets further away from India. He said that India understands all this and hence always remains alert.

Brigadier Shri DS Tripathi (Retd) said that apart from this, another important thing is that the Defense Force of Maldives has said that Maldives will have operational rights over the helicopter provided by India and the civilian crew operating it. He said that Colonel Ahmed Mujuthaba Mohammed, Principal Director of Planning, Policy and Resource Management for Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has said that the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives is a major success of the government. He said that in a way, President Muizzu has increased his status in the country’s politics by keeping his election promise, but the adverse effects of his stubborn stance and getting closer to China are becoming visible in Maldives. He said that the way the President’s party suffered a huge setback in the mayor elections of Male shows that resentment is increasing in the minds of the people.

Brigadier Shri DS Tripathi (Retd) said that apart from this, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has informed that the first batch of Indian personnel in Maldives has been replaced with technical personnel. He said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told the weekly briefing that the transition of the first team of personnel to operate the ALH helicopter has been completed. Hence, the first batch which was to be replaced has been completed.

Brigadier Shri DS Tripathi (Retd) said that but angering India is now costing Maldives dearly. He said the number of Indian tourists visiting the island country has declined significantly in the last few months. Indian tourists, who used to flock to the Maldives, are now moving away from the island nation. He said that compared to being on top in tourist numbers in 2023, India has slipped to sixth place in 2024. He said that the local tourism industry is blaming the ruling government for this situation. He said that this year has just started and soon the effect of the distance of Indians will be visible on the economy there due to which the government there will automatically come under pressure. He said that we should not consider the opposition of Maldives as weak and since they are pro-India, it can be expected that the situation there will change soon.