Maldives - Reiterating a stance he had previously expressed upon winning the presidency of the Maldives, the incoming President, Mohamed Muizzu, has affirmed that Indian troops stationed in the island nation must depart, as reported by Bloomberg.

This development is viewed as a setback to New Delhi's endeavors to exert influence in the Maldives, especially in the face of growing Chinese influence. President-elect Muizzu was quoted by Bloomberg as stating that Maldives is determined to achieve full independence.

During the contentious campaign leading up to the presidential election, Muizzu, representing the Progressive Party of Maldives, accused his predecessor, Ibrahim Solih, of allowing India to have unchecked authority over the country, as highlighted in Bloomberg's report.

Muizzu contended that Solih had compromised the nation's sovereignty by permitting India to deploy its troops in the region.

In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the incoming President of the island nation remarked, "Currently, there is an Indian foreign military presence here." However, he emphasized that he would have objected to the military presence of any other nation as well.

Describing the ongoing discussions with India about reducing its military presence in the country as "already very successful," the President-elect expressed the desire for a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship with India.

According to Bloomberg, India has stationed approximately 70 military personnel in the island nation to maintain its "sponsored radar stations and surveillance aircraft." Indian warships are also positioned off the coast of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, aiding the country in patrolling its exclusive economic zone.

Nonetheless, President-elect Muizzu clarified that his request for India to scale down its military presence in the country does not imply an openness to allow China or any other nation to introduce their military forces there.

Refuting the idea that the presidential election, in which he competed against Solih, was a popular vote on whether the country would tilt toward India or China in the future, the President-elect conveyed to Bloomberg TV, "We seek assistance and cooperation with all nations."