Dunya: Government would not prioritise foreign groups

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon has said that the present government would not give priority to the interests of foreign groups, over protecting and defending the independence and sovereignty of the Maldivian nation.

Dunya said this in response to a question by Komandoo MP Ahmed Nashid, at the parliament sitting held this morning.

“It is in the interest of the Maldives, to protect and defend the independence and sovereignty of the Maldivian nation. The present government would not allow interests of foreign groups being given priority over this,” said Dunya.

When asked about the decision by the Maldives to join China’s Twenty First Century Maritime Silk Road, Dunya said that the government decided to participate in this project because it would promote national interest, and benefit the Maldivian people.

She added that the Maldives would engage in dialogue with all countries, as required, to ensure peace in the Indian Ocean.

Maldives joined China’s Silk Road project on 15 September, during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Maldives.