MDP hopes "Welcome India" policy not temporary, Indian EAM meets Shahid

The former Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid on Saturday welcomed the “sudden recalibration of the Maldives-India policy” of the current administration after initial promoting anti-India sentiments.

The former Foreign Affairs Minister also said that he hoped this pro-India shift is not temporary and that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration will always maintain a “Welcome India policy.

Shahid made these statements in a post on X after concluding his meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subramanyam Jaishankar who paid courtesy call on the former Foreign Minister and the Secretariat of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

This is the first time an Indian official on an official visit to the Maldives has met with an opposition leader.

MDP issued out a statement following the meeting between Dr. Jaishankar and Shahid.

At the meeting, Shahid thanked Dr. Jaishankar for India’s continued assistance, and said New Delhi has always been the first responder any time the Maldives “dials an international 911.”

MDP further acknowledged the bilateral and multilateral cooperative efforts and initiatives for which both countries have signed on.

In his statement, Shahid criticized the previous stance of the current Maldivian government but lauded its recalibration to enhance cooperative and bilateral ties between the two countries.

“The current government’s initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully,” Shahid said adding that it had caused a decline in the Maldives’ international standing, economic loss, and other unnecessary challenges.

MDP further said that it hoped that the Maldives-India policy shift will not be temporary or superficial, “but consistent and meaningful” in the best interests of the Maldivian people.

The main opposition party further called President Muizzu’s government to issue a public apology for the actions, lies and irresponsible comments from its officials that “resulted in significant damage” to the Maldivian foreign and economic outlook.