India will inaugurate a new naval base on an island in India's Lakshadweep archipelago on Wednesday, after neighboring Maldives asked New Delhi to bring back personnel previously stationed in that country.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since the election of President Mohamed Muizzu in the Maldives in November, who was seen as positive for China and promised to withdraw Indian troops.
New Delhi must begin repatriating a first contingent on March 10. Malé gave India two months to evacuate its 89 personnel based in that country who specialize in aerial reconnaissance.
New Delhi takes a dim view of rapprochement between the Maldives and China in a key region for maritime trade off India's southern tip.
The new base will be built on Minicoy Atoll, the southernmost part of the Lakshadweep archipelago north of the Maldives, in the Laccadive Sea between the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.
The new base is located on a “vital maritime communications line” and will allow India to enhance its “operational surveillance capabilities” in the region, particularly in the fight against piracy and drug trafficking, its armed forces assured the Navy.
Minicoy Atoll is located approximately 130 km from the northernmost island of the Maldives. India already has a base in the Lakshadweep archipelago, but on Kavaratti island, about 260 km further north.