A Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) government would not pursue a policy of enmity towards a particular nation despite staging major protests against the alleged stationing of Indian soldiers in the Maldives, the opposition coalition's candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said last night.
The PPM's allegations about neighboring India exerting influence and interfering in Maldivian domestic affairs dates back to before the party came to power in 2013. The allegations intensified during President Abdulla Yameen's administration.
The PPM-PNC coalition started protesting against alleged Indian military presence in the Maldives after Yameen left office.
At a press conference called last night to show the coalition's support for his candidacy, Dr. Muizzu, who is contesting the September 9 presidential election on the PNC ticket, spoke about his foreign policy when he was asked about the "India Out" protests.
A foreign policy of close ties with all countries should be maintained if assistance is offered for development, he said.
"That is how we will go forward. Excluding a particular country, excessively prioritizing a particular country - not like that. That was really [President Yameen's] policy as well, back then. So we won't become enemies with any country or cut ties with them or join and get closer to another country," Muizzu said.
Muizzu spoke against Indian soldiers based in the Maldives as a serious problem after detailing his policy on non-enmity. The military issue needs to be resolved, he said.
