Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu says he by no means adopted ‘India out’ agenda

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu addresses the 79th United Nations Common Meeting on the UN Headquarters in New York, US, on September 24, 2024. | Picture credit score: Reuters

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has denied having an “India out” agenda, saying the island nation had a “significant issue” with the presence of international militaries on its soil.

Mr. Muizzu, who’s within the US to attend the 79th session of the United Nations Common Meeting, commented on Thursday (September 26, 2024) whereas responding to a query on the “ Dean’s Management Collection” at Princeton College.

“We’ve by no means been towards any nation at any time. It isn’t India Out. Maldives confronted a significant issue with international navy presence on this soil,” Maldivian information portal adhadhu.com quoted him as saying.

“The individuals of Maldives don’t need a single international soldier within the nation,” Muizzu mentioned.

Ties between India and the Maldives have been below extreme pressure since November final 12 months, when Muizzu, identified for his pro-China leanings, took over as president of the Maldives.

Muizzu had requested India to withdraw practically 90 Indian navy personnel working three aviation platforms donated by the nation. India withdrew its navy personnel on Could 10 and changed them with civilian personnel to function one Dornier plane and two helicopters.

Muizzu added that he had taken motion towards the deputy ministers for insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.

Additionally Learn: Maldives President Muizzu thanks India and China for his or her assist in strengthening his nation’s fragile financial system.

“Nobody ought to say such a factor. I took motion towards it. I cannot settle for insulting anybody like this, be it a frontrunner or an strange particular person. Each human being has a fame,” the report mentioned.

Earlier this 12 months, deputy ministers within the Maldives Youth Ministry had been suspended for derogatory social media posts towards Prime Minister Modi following a backlash, and New Delhi forcefully raised the matter with Male. The deputy ministers criticized Prime Minister Modi for his publish on ‘X’ after his go to to Lakshadweep in January, inferring that it was an try to venture the Union Territory in its place vacationer vacation spot to the Maldives.