Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu agreed to arrange a “core group” to handle and “deepen” relations, India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated, as the 2 leaders attempt to ease tensions over Indian army personnel primarily based on the island nation.

Modi and Muizzu met within the UAE on sidelines of the COP28 Summit Friday, in line with a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Muizzu, 45, who swept the polls to change into president in September, leads a celebration that has welcomed Chinese loans and needs Indian army personnel to go away the island.