Nasheed: Prosperity depends on maintenance of Maldives-India relations with wisdom

Parliament Speaker, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed said on Wednesday that Maldives needs to maintain its relationship with India with wisdom in order to achieve prosperity.

The remark comes as opposition politicians speak out against Indian military presence in Maldives, accusing the current administration of attempting to “sell” Maldives to India. The opposition has organized rallies in Male’ and residential islands across Maldives over the issue, and has initiated a social media campaign, #IndiaOut.

In a tweet on Wednesday evening, Nasheed said Maldives shares historically close ties with India, and that Maldives maintained its independence due to Maldives-India relations.

“And maintenance of this [Maldives-India] relations is necessary for Maldivians to achieve prosperity,” he said.

Nasheed added that he had no doubt Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his Cabinet ministers will maintain Maldives-India relations with wisdom.

Dhivehi-India gulhumakee zamaanvee gulhumeh. Raajjeyge minivankan dhemehettifai mivanee adhi Dhivehinge thanavaskan hoadheyneeves e gulhun visnuntheri kamaieku gengulhegen. Raees @ibusolih aai MDP vazeerun ekan kuravvanekamee alhugandu hithugai shakku hinga kamehnoon ???????? ????????

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) September 2, 2020

The new tweet on the subject comes after Nasheed made a made a tweet on Tuesday denying the allegations being made by the opposition.

He accused the opposition was spinning facts, and wrongly accusing the current administration of “selling the country”.

Meanwhile, Maldivian Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed, in a tweet earlier this Wednesday, described India as a “strong and formidable partner” that has helped Maldives maintain its sovereignty and come to the country’s aid on numerous occasions.

“I cannot be so intellectually dishonest about the actual facts of our relations. Relations that have benefited our country economically, socially and most importantly for the strengthening of our own sovereignty,” she said.