Former President Abdulla Yameen has voiced disappointment with the current government's assertion that the withdrawal of the Indian military personnel from the Maldives would be challenging.
At a press conference held by the President's Office on January 2, Public Policy Secretary of the President's Office, Abdulla Nazim had said it would be no easy feat to remove Indian military personnel from the Maldives.
Speaking at a rally held by Yameen's new party in formation, People's National Front (PNF) on Saturday night, Yameen emphasized that the primary commitment of the current administration was the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. Referring to Nazim's statement, the former president said it is disheartening and undermines optimism when a minister at the President's Office conveys such uncertainty on the issue.
The Maldives and India have been having high-level talks regarding the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, and the Maldives government has formally asked India to withdraw all of its troops by March 15. Referring to the request, Yameen noted that India has not commented on the date thus far.
