Maldives under Muizzu: While New Delhi expects increased role of Beijing in Male, Islamabad may be the surprise

News Snapshot:

A day after President Mohamed Muizzu, an associate of former pro-China President Yameen Abdul Gayoom, took office, he requested India to withdraw its unarmed air force personnel deployed to operate air assets on Maldivian soil. This request came in his meeting with Indian minister Kiren Rijiju, who represented the country in his swearing-in. He expressed the hope that India would honour the ‘democratic will’ of the people of Maldives. India currently has about 50-60 personnel maintaining and operating the gifted Dornier aircraft and two helicopters deployed in the country. These air assets were employed, apart from monitoring Maldives Exclusive Economic...