Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu and PM Modi (file photo)
Male: Amid the long-standing tensions between India and Maldives, Maldives Foreign Minister Musa Jameer has made a big claim. Musa Jameer says that India-Maldives relations went through a difficult phase in the early days of the government led by President Mohammed Muizzu, but he stressed that the two countries have now cleared the ‘misunderstandings’. Jameer made this comment during his visit to Sri Lanka on Friday. He stressed the importance of maintaining good relations with other major allies including China and India.
Jamir said that relations with India had faced challenges, especially after President Muizzu’s campaign to withdraw a small contingent of Indian troops from the Maldives. He said that after the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives, “misunderstandings” between the two countries have been resolved. ‘The Edition’ newspaper quoted Jamir as saying, “You know, there was some bitterness (with India) in the early days of our government. We have good relations with India and China and both countries have continued to support the Maldives.
Muizzu is a China lover
Muizzu is known for his pro-China leanings. After he assumed the presidency, India-Maldives relations started to sour. Within hours of taking oath, Muizzu demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops deployed on three military platforms gifted to Maldives by India. After talks between the two sides, Indian troops were replaced by technical personnel. The relations between the two countries became tense after three Maldivian deputy ministers made objectionable comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. The Maldives Foreign Ministry distanced itself from these comments. Later, these three ministers were also suspended. Muizzu, unlike his predecessors, did not visit New Delhi after assuming office. He first went to Turkey and then chose China for his first state visit in January. He attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on June 9.
Muizzu will come to India soon
Muizzu’s spokesperson said on Tuesday that the President will visit India on an official visit “very soon”. Zameer described the current economic challenges facing the Maldives as “temporary”. He said that Maldives has no plans to seek a relief package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “We have bilateral partners who are very sensitive to our needs and our situation,” Zameer said, indicating that the Maldives government is confident of handling the financial situation without seeking external assistance from the IMF. He also noted the strength of bilateral relations with China and India and said that these countries have been important in supporting the Maldives.
Zameer’s remarks came in the wake of warnings from credit rating agencies about Maldives’ financial situation. Maldives currently has a debt of US$ 409 million. The country’s current foreign exchange reserves are US$ 444 million. Maldives Finance Minister Mohammed Shafiq also accompanied Zameer on his visit to Sri Lanka. During this, the two leaders held several meetings with officials of Sri Lanka’s central bank and others to discuss financial issues. (Language)
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