Two identical positive charges are positioned at points A and B ....

Let the identical positive charges $+q$ be placed at points $A$ and $B$ separated by a distance $2a$.

Let the origin be the midpoint of $AB$. The coordinates of $A$ and $B$ are $-a$ and $+a$ respectively.

The electric potential $V$ at a distance $x$ from the midpoint (where $-a < x < a$) is given by:

$V = \dfrac{kq}{a+x} + \dfrac{kq}{a-x} = \dfrac{2kqa}{a^2-x^2}$

As we move from $A$ to the midpoint, $x$ changes from $-a$ to $0$. The denominator $a^2-x^2$ increases, so $V$ decreases.

At the midpoint ($x=0$), $V$ is minimum.

As we move from the midpoint to $B$, $x$ changes from $0$ to $a$. The denominator $a^2-x^2$ decreases, so $V$ increases.

Thus, the electric potential initially decreases and then increases.