President: Govt has not recalibrated its foreign policy, has nothing to apologize for

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says that his administration has not recalibrated its foreign policy – as recently claimed by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – but has maintained the same policy he set down in his manifesto heading into the 2023 elections.

Relations between Male’ and New Delhi had strained in the first months of President Muizzu’s presidency. But thing now appear to be on the mend, with key visits between Maldives and India in recent months, the most recent of which was an official visit by Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Indian External Affairs Minister.

In a statement following a meeting between Jaishankar and MDP’s leader Abdulla Shahid on Saturday, the MDP said that “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, has caused a decline in the Maldives international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges.”

It said that it welcomes “the sudden recalibration of the Maldives-India policy of President Muizzu’s government, from its previous India Out policy.”

It also demanded that President Muizzu issue a public apology to the Maldivian people.

Speaking to a reporter from ‘Adhadhu’ after a meeting at the Male’ City Council on Sunday, President Muizzu said his administration has not recalibrated its foreign policy, but has been implementing the same policy since day one.

“I am implementing the same foreign policy announced in my manifesto,” he said.

“I said that I will prioritize the interests of Maldives and maintain indiscriminate and close relations with all countries that agree not to infringe on Maldives’ independence and sovereignty.”

President Muizzu said that he has not recalibrated his foreign policy, nor does he have anything to apologize for.

“This is the manifesto that the people supported. We will maintain close relations with all countries based on this,” he said.

President Muizzu said that the expulsion of Indian soldiers from Maldives had been one of the greatest responsibilities the Maldivian people entrusted him with. He said that he accomplished the task through diplomacy.

“They [India] have done a lot for us in the past months based on the friendship and closeness we share and through diplomacy. It has granted a greater increase quota for staple food for Maldives than any other country,” he said.

President Muizzu said that India has always assisted the Maldives, and thanked the country for its various assistance over the years.

Relations between Male’ and New Delhi had grown strained after President Muizzu demanded that India withdraw its troops from Maldives – executing a pledge he made during his presidential campaign. Things escalated further after three Maldivian deputy ministers made disparaging remarks regarding India and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the social media platform X, creating a diplomatic spat and a social media campaign calling to boycott the Maldives tourism industry. And following a state visit to China in January, President Muizzu made thinly-veiled comments that was believed to be directed at India.

But with Jaishankar’s recent visit, relations between Male’ and New Delhi appear to be in the mend.

It followed three key visits between from Maldives to India in recent months. The first was by Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer in May. It was followed President Muizzu’s visit to attend Modi’s inauguration for a third term in office in June, and Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal visit to India in July.