Maldives will suffer if we do not "afford India respect at all times", former President Mohamed Nasheed has said.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called on the Indian government to remove its troops from Maldives and has also decided to take steps to reduce dependence on India for medical treatment and staples.
Nasheed, who maintained close relations with India during his three years in power, posted on X that Maldivians achieved self-rule for centuries "because we are tactful and strategic" and "not because of brute strength."
"If our leaders lack foresight and go stomping about beating their chest, we will suffer. India is our neighbor and friend. We should afford India respect at all times," he wrote.
Nasheed's comments come at a time when the Maldives government has proposed to India to remove its soldiers from Maldivian territory by March 15.
The Indian soldiers had been in Maldives to operate and maintain two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft gifted by India.
India proposed to find a "workable solution" to continue the operation of aircraft in the Maldives, according to the Indian External Affairs Ministry.
Meanwhile, sources told Adhadhu that the government had signed an agreement with a Turkish company to purchase military drones
The drones to patrol the country’s waters will be purchased with USD 37 million (MVR 569.8 million) allocated from the state’s contingency budget.
