GMR issue will not affect India-Maldives relations: President

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that the cancellation of the agreement with the consortium including GMR will not affect the relations between India and Maldives.

The President said this in an interview with Press Trust of India (PTI).

"We remain confident that India-Maldives relations will not be affected by the cancellation of the GMR contract by MACL (Maldives Airports Company Ltd),” the President told PTI.

When asked about India’s reaction to the government’s decision, President Waheed said that India’s reaction was not critical of the decision to terminate the agreement.

“This is only a single event and Indian government is fully aware of the sentiments of the Maldives in this regard."

He said that the termination of the contract, which was signed under doubtful conditions, “provides assurances that Maldives is committed to a clean and safe business environment for foreign investments.”

When asked if there is reconsideration in the Maldives about India being its close friend, the President said, “India truly is the closest friend and will remain so.”