President: Don't have to say anything to India, that is the closest friend

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that Maldivians do not have to say thing to the neighboring India since they are the closest friend of the country.

Addressing the people of Noonu atoll Velidhoo today, President Yameen said that the articles on the Maldives on Indian newspapers are those of the writer's opinions and Maldivian journalists do not have to respond to them.

The President said that articles on local news media criticizing India are being written without considering the what could happen to the state.

President Yameen has made the remarks after a Maldivian online news outlet issued a report claiming that India is an adversary of the Maldives in response to a report on an Indian news outlet.

Maldives Media Council has launched an investigation into the report with suspicion of the defamatory and volitile content.

In his address in Velidhoo, President Yameen signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) agreement with China is not going to affect the relations the Maldives have with other countries. And an FTA with India is in the works.

President Yameen said that his government is not going to insult Indian government officials.