The Maldives and India have inked a pact to end the latter's military presence in the islands country, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said Sunday, according to news reaching here from Male, capital of the Maldives, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

India agreed to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives after a series of constructive meetings and dialogues between the two countries, Muizzu told a press briefing at the Velana International Airport after returning from official visits to Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, according to a press release by his office.

The Indian government has guaranteed to honor and respect the desire of the Maldivian people to abstain from accommodating foreign military presence within the country, said Muizzu, expressing his wish for a swift completion of the withdrawal.