"India and Maldives Reach Agreement on Military Operations and Personnel"
India and the Maldives have reached "mutually workable solutions" for operating Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives, with all Indian military personnel expected to be withdrawn by May. The solutions include replacing military personnel with civilian operators and expediting the implementation of development cooperation projects. Bilateral ties are strained as the Maldives seeks to reduce dependence on India and move closer to China, but both sides have agreed to hold the next meeting of the core group in Male to enhance their partnership in defense, security, economic, and development cooperation.