The first democratically elected president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has slammed “appalling” social media statements by a Maldivian official on Prime official Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, India’s smallest Union Territory. The Maldivian minister spoke negatively of Modi and accused India of targeting the archipelago and beach tourist issues.
The first democratically elected president of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has sharply denounced “appalling” social media statements by a government minister on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, India’s smallest Union Territory.
PM Modi visited the Union Territory, which has 36 islands and 32 sqkm, to encourage tourism.
In a tweet, Maldivian minister Mariyam Shiuna used insulting language against PM Modi. Another Maldives official accused India of targeting the archipelago and said India struggles to compete with the Maldives in beach tourism.
Mr. Nasheed asked President Mohamed Muizzu to condemn the ministers’ views and said they “do not reflect government policy”.
“What horrible rhetoric by Maldives government official Mariyam Shiuna regarding the leader of a critical partner, vital to Maldives’ security and prosperity. Former Maldives President Nasheed wrote on X that the Mohamed Muizzu government must distance itself from these views and assure India they do not reflect official policy.
Mr. Nasheed was elected president in 2008 but resigned in 2012 after a coup by his adversaries.
President Mohamed Muizzu’s election has damaged India-Maldives relations in recent months.
President Muizzu took office in November 2023. He promised to remove 75 Indian military soldiers from Maldives and reform its “India first” policy in his election campaign.
Mr Muizzu, a pro-China politician, defeated India-friendly Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the September presidential run-off.
On Monday, Mr. Muizzu will visit China, the Chinese foreign ministry announced. His invitation came from Chinese President Xi Jinping, foreign ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said Friday.
The Maldives and China have a longstanding connection. After 52 years of diplomatic relations, the two countries have treated each other with respect and supported each other, setting a fine example of equality and mutual benefits between countries of different sizes “Wang Wenbin, another Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, told PTI.
Given their close relations to India and the Maldives’ proximity to India, Mr. Muizzu’s predecessors visited India first, followed by China, which has invested heavily in infrastructure projects in the island nation.
At the December 2023 COP28 climate meetings in Dubai, the new Maldives president met PM Modi. Both presidents decided to form a core group to discuss multidimensional connections and strengthen relationships.
The meeting also occurred after Mr. Muizzu requested that New Delhi withdraw 77 Indian military soldiers from the Maldives and review over 100 bilateral agreements.
The new Maldives Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef visited China last month for his maiden trip and attended the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation in Kunming.
Mr. Latheef praised Chinese infrastructure projects but did not mention China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which developed most Maldives’ infrastructure.
India’s ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’ and SAGAR, or Security and Growth for All in the Region, prioritize the Maldives, its closest marine neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region.
Strategically important, the Maldives is 70 nautical miles from Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland’s western coast, and it lies in the hub of Indian Ocean commerce sea lanes.
Conclusion
The first democratically elected president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has slammed “appalling” social media statements by a Maldivian official on Prime official Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, India’s smallest Union Territory. The Maldivian minister spoke negatively of Modi and accused India of targeting the archipelago and beach tourist issues. Nasheed urged President Mohamed Muizzu to dissociate himself from these views and ensure India they do not reflect government policy. Since President Muizzu took office in November 2023, India-Maldives relations have suffered. China and the Maldives have a longstanding friendship. Muizzu will visit China on Monday. India’s ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’ and SAGAR prioritize the Maldives, its closest maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean. Strategically, the Maldives is near India and in the center of commerce sea lanes.
