Muizzu says India will not reduce projects in Maldives

Oct 15, 2023, 12:26 PM
President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in an interview with Al Jazeera.

President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in an interview with Al Jazeera.

President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that he does not believe India would reduce the number of projects carried out in the Maldives despite the expulsion of Indian soldiers stationed in the country.

In an interview with Al Jazeera’s ‘Talk to Al Jazeera’ program, Muizzu said he believed India would be interested in increasing investments in projects in the Maldives.

Expelling Indian soldiers based in the Maldives is a campaign pledge of Muizzu. In his interview with Al Jazeera, Muizzu said he would begin efforts to do so on the first day of his government.

Al Jazeera questioned why he believed India would comply with requests for debt relief after demanding the removal of Indian soldiers. Muizzu said he believed India would offer relief.

Al Jazeera also asked whether he believed India would reduce its line of credit facilities and investments in the Maldives.

“I really don’t think they will do that also. And I think they will even be interested in giving even more line of credits,” Muizzu said in response to the question.  

India would be interested in investing further in the Maldives tourism sector and other development sectors, he said. India and Maldives have always enjoyed good relations, Muizzu said, adding that he did not wish for that to change.

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