Qasim: I will adopt Nasir and Maumoon’s foreign policies

Jumhoory Party (JP)’s leader and presidential candidate Qasim Ibrahim states he plans on adopting the foreign policies of former presidents Ibrahim Nasir and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom if elected to office.

Qasim, who secured JP’s presidential ticket after running unopposed, tweeted early Tuesday that he will adopt the foreign policies used by Nasir and Maumoon during his administration.

He did not say more.

Alhugaduge verikamehgai dhivehi rajjeyge khaarijee siyaasathakah hadhaanee kureege Raees Ibrahim Nasir aa Raees Maumoon ves gengulhuhvi khaarijee siyaa sathu kamugai dhannavan .

— Qasim Ibrahim (@qasimibrahim) April 17, 2023

Nasir served as the prime minister of Maldives 1957 to 1968 and later president from 1968 to 1978. He is considered the independence hero of the Maldives, having brought about the independence of the Maldives from being a protectorate of the British Empire. He also directed the construction of the country’s first international airport.

Meanwhile, his successor, Maumoon, is credited with forming diplomatic relations with countries and adopting a neutral stand on international matters.

Qasim has extended an invitation to Maumoon’s Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) for form a potential coalition with JP for the upcoming presidential election.

Both JP and MRM are part of the current coalition government. While JP has decided to back its own candidate this year, MRM has yet to make a decision.