The Indian government will never back plans to remove a Maldivian President from office, former President Mohamed Nasheed has said.
After an investigation by the Washington Post, Nasheed said in a post on X that India had always supported democracy in Maldives.
"India would never back such a move, as they always support Maldives’ democracy. India has never dictated terms to us, either," Nasheed wrote.
He also said he was "unaware of any serious plot" against President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu who assumed office in November 2023.
The former President has always maintained close ties with India. He criticized the Muizzu administration for moving away from India earlier this year and welcomed the improvement in relations later in the year.
According to the Washington Post, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) submitted a document titled "Democratic Renewal Initiative" to the Indian intelligence agency RAW to overthrow Muizzu's government.
The document had plans to overthrow the government with the participation of MPs, soldiers, police and gangs using USD 6 million to bribe MPs and gangs.
Two former MDP MPs, Hussain Shaheem and Ahmed Esa, are accused of acting as mediators to negotiate with India. However, the Washington Post's investigation does not say whether India followed through with the plans to provide funding.
But the report quoted sources in the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) as saying that 11 MPs were bribed after President Muizzu learned about the impeachment plans. Muizzu spent USD 200,000 on each MP.
