Spokesperson: Nasheed lied in Muizzu's name

The Transitional Spokesperson, Mohamed Firuzul Abdullah Haleel, stressed that Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed lied when speaking to an Indian news outlet claiming that President-Elect Muizzu will be agreeable to letting 75 Indian soldiers be stationed in the Maldives. 

Nasheed made the remark during an interview with Indian news outlet ‘The Hindu'. 

Speaking at a press conference held today, Firuzul expressed concern and sadness over Nasheed's remarks, which he said was made without consultation with the President-elect. 

He reaffirmed Muizzu's stance on not allowing any foreign soldiers to be stationed in the Maldives. 

“The President-elect's stand is that not even a single pair of shoes of Indian troops, or any foreign troops for that matter, will be allowed to stay on Maldivian soil. That is the Maldivian people’s decision,” Firuzul said.

"We regret the remarks made by the Speaker of Parliament which contradicts the decision of the people of Maldives."

The President-Elect's office has asked Nasheed not to make such remarks. Nasheed has also been making various remarks about the administration that is being incepted, including claiming he will play a role in it. 

Nasheed told 'The Hindu' that he believes that the foreign policy between India and Maldives will not change under Muizzu's government. He said he also believes Muizzu is not anti-India or overly dependent on China.

Nasheed also said that there is no better way to strengthen Maldives' defense system than through assistance from India. 

“Terrorist organizations can come from anywhere. Hundreds of people could come and really threaten the Maldives. There is no better way than strengthening defense cooperation with India," he said.

The opposition mostly raised the matter of Indian troops in Maldives when berating the MDP government.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, however, has assured they are not armed combat troops. He has repeatedly said that no foreign troops will be in Maldives for any military purpose.

Despite President Solih's remarks, the opposition accuses Indian troops of being stationed in Maldives for various technical reasons. Their removal is one of the biggest pledges of PPM-PNC. The coalition has previously carried out a major political campaign under the name 'India Out'

However, the "India Out" movement was halted after President Solih banned it by a presidential decree.