India has agreed to withdraw its troops from the country, President Dr.Mohamed Muizzu said.

The president said that while speaking at his first press conference after returning from a visit to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

President Dr.Muizzu met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai.

Briefing reporters on the discussions at the meeting, the President said he had been working on the withdrawal of Indian troops through the noble principle of diplomacy since day one.

A technical committee involving the two countries has been formed to work on the withdrawal of Indian troops, he said.

He said India also believes that the withdrawal of Indian troops is a democratic decision taken by the Maldivians.

"The work done before and the work done so far and the Indian government has agreed to withdraw the Indian troops." President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu said.

The President also said that the High Level Technical Committee, which will be formed to involve the two countries, will discuss and take decisions on accelerating the projects being implemented by India in Maldives.

This will not only accelerate the projects but also facilitate the repayment of loans taken by India, he said.

"For example, one of the projects I mentioned is the bridge project near Male. The two countries have agreed to form a high-level committee to take immediate decisions on other projects and loans." President Dr. Muizzu said.

The illegal presence of a large number of Indian troops in Maldives would undermine the independence and sovereignty of the country, and the President promised to withdraw the Indian troops during his presidential campaign.

The work has been included in his Week 14 roadmap as a top priority after he takes over the government.

The President has started the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives on the first day and assures that it will be achieved very soon.