The removal of Indian soldiers in the Maldives cannot be achieved through street protets, President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said on Saturday, indirectly criticizing the "India Out" campaign of his own Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition.
In a program aired by state media, Muizzu said the work of removing Indian soldiers will be done through the proper means of dialogue, which would not take long to do.
"I want to talk to India to resolve the problem. This isn't something that can be achieved on the streets," Muizzu said.
He repeated his previous remarks about the public showing in this year's presidential election that they want to expel Indian soldiers in the Maldives.
The matter was discussed at a meeting with the Indian High Commissioner during the transition period, he said.
The hard work of ensuring the country's independence and sovereignty needs to be done, Muizzu said, adding that he has 100 percent certainty that it could be done based on the work done in the past few weeks as the President-Elect.
"I am certain that all other countries as well would want the Maldives to be a developing country that is achieving developing, that loves democracy, loves peace, loves development," Muizzu said.
The "India Out" campaign was initiated and led by PPM leader and former President Abdulla Yameen.
During its time in opposition, the PPM-PNC coalition carried out serial protests and social media campaigns.
Muizzu participated in the activities a few times. But rumors spread earlier as well about his lack of complete support for the campaign.
Rumors are also circulating at present about differences of opinion between Muizzu and Yameen, who was transferred from prison to house arrest and confinement to Male' after the presidential election.
Dr. Muizzu's campaign said previously that disclosing information about defense agreements and the number of Indian soldiers in the Maldives would be a top priority.
However, a month into the transition period since the election victory, Transition Spokesman Mohamed Firuzul said last week that government agencies have not provided information to transition committees about the number of Indian soldiers in the Maldives and control over radar systems.
In interviews with international media since the election, Muizzu said he would maintain relations with India and pursue a neutral policy to ensure that the Maldives is not entangled in geopolitical rivalry between India and China.
Relations with India severely deteriorated during the PPM-PNC's first government under former President Abdulla Yameen.
Closer ties were fostered with India's rival China, which provided loans and financial assistance to carry out infrastructure projects.
Cabinet and political posts
In his interview to state media on the occasion of Republic Day, Muizzu also said that a list of his cabinet ministers leaked to the media was 95 percent accurate.
"There are some small changes," he said.
Muizzu said he would appoint educated and competent ministers that he could directly control.
"The team that I'm forming is the cabinet and heads of companies. That is the upper echelon of the government. The people in the upper echelon will be those upon whom I would have the final say. I won't appoint people who would need someone else's approval when I have my say," he said.
Muizzu pledged to appoint women in charge of six government companies and assured more representation of women in high-ranking posts.
He also confirmed plans to change the mandates of some ministries in order to improve efficiency.
Ministries with wide mandates have faced difficulties in producing results, he said, taking the Planning Ministry as an example.
"That the Planning Ministry's work is poor can be seen by looking at Ameenee Magu and the bridge," he said.
New ministries to be formed by the incoming government include a Council Ministry and separate ministries for Agriculture and Fisheries as well as for Youth and Sports.
The Planning and Infrastructure mandate of the Housing Ministry would be transferred to the Environment Ministry.
Despite the creation of more ministries, Muizzu assured that the number of political appointees would be lower than previous governments.
Administrative costs would not increase significantly and private buildings will not be rented for use as government offices, he said.
"We have already announced that [political] posts will not exceed 700," Muizzu said.
