Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu says by no means adopted “India Out” agenda

Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu addresses the 79th United Nations Basic Meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., on September 24, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: Reuters

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has denied having an “India Out” agenda, asserting that the island nation had a “serious problem” with the presence of overseas navy on its soil.

Mr. Muizzu, who’s within the US to attend the 79th Session of the United Nations Basic Meeting, commented on Thursday (September 26, 2024) whereas responding to a query at Princeton College’s “Dean’s Management Collection”.

“We’ve got by no means been in opposition to anybody nation at any level. It is not India Out. Maldives confronted a major problem with foreign military presence on this soil,” Maldivian information portal adhadhu.com quoted him as saying.

“The folks of Maldives are not looking for a single overseas soldier within the nation,” Mr. Muizzu mentioned.

The ties between India and the Maldives got here underneath extreme pressure since November final yr when Mr. Muizzu, identified for his pro-China leanings, took cost as Maldivian President.

Mr. Muizzu had requested India to withdraw almost 90 Indian navy personnel working three aviation platforms gifted by the nation. India withdrew its navy personnel by Might 10 and changed them with civilian personnel to function a Dornier plane and two helicopters.

Mr. Muizzu added he had taken motion in opposition to deputy ministers for insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.

Additionally Learn: Maldives President Muizzu thanks India, China for support to strengthen his country’s fragile economy

“Nobody ought to say such a factor. I took motion in opposition to it. I cannot settle for insulting anybody like that, whether or not he’s a frontrunner or an abnormal individual. Each human being has a fame,” the report quoted him as saying.

Earlier this yr, Deputy Ministers in Maldives’ youth ministry have been suspended for derogatory social media posts in opposition to Prime Minister Modi following a backlash, with New Delhi strongly elevating the matter with Male. The Deputy Ministers criticised PM Modi for his put up on ‘X’ following his go to to Lakshadweep in January, inferring that it was an try to undertaking the Union Territory in its place vacationer vacation spot to the Maldives.