Maldives' main Opposition party welcomes President Muizzu government's 'sudden recalibration' of its India policy

MDP welcomes Maldives' shift in India policy, calls for apology, and praises India's support and development projects.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has welcomed President Mohammad Muizzu-led government's "sudden recalibration" of its India policy and said Male has always been confident that India will always be the first responder any time the Maldives “dials an international 911".

Abdulla Shahid, president of the main Opposition party, the MDP, made the remarks after he met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Male on Saturday (August 10, 2024).

The MDP president said that his party “calls on the Muizzu government to issue a public apology for the actions, lies and irresponsible comments from its officials which have resulted in significant damage to the Maldives' foreign and economic outlook”. Mr. Jaishankar is on a three-day official visit to the Maldives to reset the bilateral relationship, the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nation's pro-China President Muizzu assumed office last year.

"Great pleasure to warmly welcome and meet Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to the Maldives with my colleagues from @MDPSecretariat," Mr. Shahid, the former foreign minister, said in a statement posted on X late Saturday (August 10, 2024) night.

“The Maldives has always been confident that India will always be the first responder any time the Maldives ‘dials an international 911’,” he said.

He said the “current government’s initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully, has caused a decline in the Maldives’ international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges.” “With this in mind, the MDP welcomes the sudden recalibration of the Maldives-India policy of President Muizzu’s government, from its previous India Out policy,” Mr. Shahid said.

India's relationship with the Maldives has come under severe strain since Mr. Muizzu took charge as the President late last year.