Male, Sep 15: Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer has acknowledged that the Maldives-India ties witnessed rough patches in the initial days of President Mohammad Muizzu-led government but insisted that the two countries have resolved the “misunderstandings”.
Zameer made the remarks on Friday during a visit to Sri Lanka, where he stressed the importance of the Indian Ocean archipelago’s relationships with key allies, particularly China and India.
He said that relations with India had faced challenges, particularly following President Muizzu’s campaign to remove a small contingent of Indian troops from the Maldives.
Zameer said that the “misunderstandings” between the two countries have been resolved following the repatriation of Indian troops from the Maldives.
“At the start of our government, we did have some rough patches (with India), you know,” Zameer has been quoted as saying by The Edition newspaper.
“(We) have good relations with both China and India, and both countries continue to support Maldives,” he said.
India’s relationship with the Maldives came under strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge as the President. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms gifted by India to the Maldives. After talks between the two sides, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians.
Things escalated after three Maldivian deputy ministers made controversial remarks regarding India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. Maldives Foreign Ministry distanced itself from their remarks, and the three junior ministers were suspended.
Unlike his predecessors, who made the first port of call to New Delhi after assuming office, Muizzu travelled to Turkiye first and to China for his first state visit in January. He visited New Delhi on June 9 to attend Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
Muizzu will travel to India on an official visit “very soon”, his spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Zameer also said that the Maldives has no plans to seek an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, dismissing the current economic challenges faced by his country as “temporary.” “We have bilateral partners who are very sensitive to our needs and our situation,” he said, signalling the government’s confidence in addressing its fiscal issues without resorting to external assistance from the IMF.
He also highlighted the strengthening of bilateral relations with China and India, noting that these countries have been instrumental in supporting the Maldives.
His remarks came in the wake of warnings from credit rating agencies about the Maldives’ financial situation. (PTI)
