New Delhi: On his arrival in the Maldives on Sunday, President Mohamed Muiz said that the Maldives would not take any action that would jeopardize India’s security and that it views New Delhi as a “valued partner and friend” and that it is working in several areas, including defence. Cooperation is “always a priority,” he said. It was the capital of the first bilateral visit.
Muiz, who is seen as a “pro-China” leader by some who campaigned on an “India Out” platform, told a national English newspaper that relations between the Maldives and India are “respectful.” and built on common interests,” he said, adding that Delhi was and remains one of his country’s biggest trading and development partners.
The Maldivian leader is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today.
“Maldives will never do anything that would jeopardize India’s security. While we will strengthen our cooperation with other countries in various fields, we will continue to ensure that our actions do not undermine the security and stability of our region. I will…,” he told the Times of India. In an extensive interview.
Although Muiz declined to name China, he also emphasized his administration’s determination to “promote growth and development through diverse international cooperation.” Advocating a “Maldives First” policy, he said, “It is essential for the Maldives to diversify its international relations and reduce its overdependence on one country.” However, he said such involvement would not harm India’s interests.
“Respect for our neighbors and friends is in our DNA,” he said, urging Indian tourists to return home. “Indians are making a positive contribution…Indian tourists are welcome,” he said, speaking for India’s most important economic sector, which was hit hard by diplomatic issues last year.
This is Muizu's first bilateral visit and his comments come after months of diplomatic relations last year over comments made by three Maldives ministers to Prime Minister Modi following a social media post that cited Lakshadweep as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives. This reflects the growing amiability after the above conflict. .
The Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced itself from the comments, and a cabinet minister was suspended. Maryam Siuna and Marcia Sharif both resigned last month after their bilateral visits were confirmed.
And his request in May, just weeks before he attended Mr Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, to remove 90 military personnel from three air platforms gifted to him by India also raised eyebrows.
Delhi accepted the request and replaced the military personnel with “competent technical” staff.
The expulsion of Indian military personnel and the ‘India out’ agenda were seen as one of Muiz’s key poll promises. When pressed on these topics, the Maldivian President said, “I have done what the people of Maldives asked me to do,” but stressed that India remains an important partner in efforts to ensure stability in the region.
“This historic relationship is intertwined like the roots of a tree… built on centuries of interaction and shared values. The relationship between the Maldives and India has always been strong…”
Muiz earlier denied there were any plans for an “India-out” but insisted his country had “serious problems” with the presence of foreign troops. “The people of Maldives do not want any foreign soldiers in the country,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying on local website adhadhu.com.
Read | Never followed the “indo-out” agenda:: Mohamed Muiz of the Maldives
Muiz also spoke about India-supported infrastructure projects such as the Greater Male Connectivity Project and water and sewerage facilities for the 28 islands in the archipelago.
The Maldives is one of India’s important maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean region, and the overall bilateral relationship, including in the defense and security sectors, recorded an upward trajectory under the previous government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. did.
Read | “India is one of our closest allies”: Maldives Prez after meeting with S. Jaishankar
During his visit to Male in August, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he recognized “common challenges and common interests in maintaining peace and security in the region.”
Based on opinions from agents
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