Edited by Deepali Verma
The “anti-Bharat stance” of Maldivian government is likely to be detrimental to the island nation’s development, as per the warnings of the two main opposition parties just two days after the present administration made an announcement that a Chinese ship will be docking at their port.
The caution comes from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats amid strained ties between the two neighbours and the Maldives’ growing affinity towards China, a potentially important geopolitical and military shift in the Indian Ocean Region.
President Mohamed Muizzu bagged the 2023 elections endorsing an anti-Bharat narrative, which was a significant departure from his predecessors who pursued a pro-Bharat policy.
“The MDP and the Democrats hold a view that alienating any development partner, especially the country’s most long-standing ally will be very detrimental to the long-term development of the country,” remarked the two opposition parties, terming Bharat the “most long-standing ally”.
Their assessment regarding “the direction in foreign policy” states that the Maldivian government must proceed working with all development partners as it has traditionally done.
“Stability and security in the Indian Ocean is absolutely crucial to the stability and security of the Maldives,” said the two opposition parties, which together hold 55 seats in the 87-member house.
The remarks were passed in an address at a joint news conference by MDP’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Ahmed Saleem, Democrats chief MP Hassan Latheef along with the Parliamentary Group Leader Ali Azim.
Rencently, Maldives underwent some upgrades in regards to its ties with China after a diplomatic row over Maldivian ministers’ derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his visit to Bharat’s Lakshadweep islands.
The country has also set a March 5 deadline for Bharat to call back its troops – a deadline that came right after President Muizzu’s first state visit to China after being elected. Further, this was his primary port of call after assuming office, another shift from his predecessors who traditionally have been making Bharat their first port of call.
In the week gone by, Maldives made an announcement that it has allowed a Chinese survey ship to dock at one of its ports for replenishment, but it will not be holding any “research” in Maldivian waters.
“The Maldives has been a welcoming destination for the vessels of friendly countries, and continues to host both civilian and military vessels making port calls for peaceful purposes,” The remark is additionally seen as further evidence of Male’s pivot away from New Delhi and towards Beijing.
