Close ties between India and the Maldives are important for the Indian Ocean region's security and stability, President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said.
In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Muizzu said the work of removing Indian soldiers based in the Maldives would be his top foreign policy priority as promised during the campaign.
"I will be holding frank and detailed diplomatic consultations with India to work out details of sending back military personnel from the Maldives as soon as possible," said Muizzu, who is due to take the oath of office on November 17.
"The focus is not on the actual number of military personnel here, it is on not having any at all in the Maldives. We will discuss with the Indian government and find out a way forward for this."
During its previous government, Muizzu's Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) fostered close ties with China. In the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government that followed, the Maldives was seen as closer to India.
Muizzu said his administration would put the interests of the Maldives first in all matters.
"I’m not pro-China or any country. The Maldives is and will not be anti or pro any country. My government will always be for Maldives. The Maldives will benefit immensely from having strong and vibrant relationships with the advanced economies as well as with emerging economic powers," Muizzu told Reuters.
