"India Out" before, "India Thanks" now

Aug 11, 2024, 5:50 AM
Modi and Muizzu.

Modi and Muizzu.

After a campaign for the removal of Indian military personnel and verbal attacks aimed at the Indian government, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has finally thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

President Muizzu and the leaders of this government led the 'India Out' campaign and paraded in the streets of Male' with puppets mocking Modi.

Following his visit to China, President Muizzu verbally attacked India by stating that the Maldives is not in the backyard of any particular country.

The President also claimed that he would end the dependence on India by stopping the import of medicine from India and travelling to India for medical purposes.

He accused the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of following orders from India.

Just nine months after assuming office through a campaign of hate towards India, President Muizzu, on Saturday, finally thanked India for its continuous assistance.

He met Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and said the two countries were working to strengthen relations.

"I thank the Government of India, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi for always supporting the Maldives," Muizzu posted on X after the meeting.

"It was a pleasure to meet Dr. S. Jaishankar today and join him in the official handover of water and sewerage projects in 28 islands of the Maldives," he said.

The 28 projects inaugurated yesterday were implemented during the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government.

During the meeting with Jaishankar, President Muizzu said the people of Maldives welcome the close relationship with India.

"Our enduring partnership continues to strengthen, bringing our nations closer through cooperation in security, development, and cultural exchange. Together, we build a brighter, more prosperous future for the region."

Jaishankar's visit comes at a time when the two countries have started working on restoring ties after increased tensions during the early days of the People's National Congress (PNC) government.

Comments

Read More

Latest News

MDP activist Shamin released from police detention

MDP activist Mohamed Shamin was released from police custody after being detained for allegedly crossing barricades during a protest. The court ruled his actions did not constitute a major felony, noting a lack of evidence for property damage or injury. Shamin still faces charges for obstructing police and disobeying orders.

State will bear no costs on housing units by Abu Dhabi developer

The Maldives Finance Ministry confirmed that the state budget will incur no costs for 5,000 housing units being built by Abu Dhabi’s Eagle Hills. The $500 million project uses a contractor financing model without government guarantees. While the state is not liable, it remains unclear if public recipients will pay for the units upon completion.

Vice President meets UN Secretary-General

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef met UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss climate resilience and debt sustainability for the Maldives. The leaders emphasized the urgent need for global climate action and UN reform. They also addressed regional concerns, specifically focusing on the ongoing situation in Palestine.

PNC lawmakers' delegation departs for Pakistan

A 16-member delegation of PNC lawmakers, led by Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, has departed for an exposure visit to Pakistan. The group will visit the Pakistani Parliament and meet with counterparts following an official invitation. This trip precedes a potential, though unconfirmed, upcoming visit by President Mohamed Muizzu.

MDP opens party congress to the public

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced that its upcoming congress, starting October 1 at Male’ City Hall, will be open to the public. While nearly 1,000 official delegates are expected to attend, the party expressed disappointment over the government's refusal to provide a state venue or media coverage for the event.

"Airport was leased to GMR under a transparent bidding process"

Former President Mohamed Nasheed criticized the Maldivian government for awarding a Rasmalé development deal to a UAE firm without a transparent bidding process. He contrasted the secretive agreement with his administration's open tender for the national airport, emphasizing that state assets should only be leased through competitive systems.

What kind of agreement was signed with Eagle Hills

The Maldives government signed a preliminary agreement with UAE-based Eagle Hills to lease land in Rasmalé for 99 years. The multi-billion dollar project aims to develop a world-class marina and luxury residences. While the Maldives will receive 5,000 housing units, specific financial details and a definitive contract are yet to be finalized.

Newsletter

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox