Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, currently visiting Bharat, expressed concern about the fallout from Bharat’s recent boycott call, specifically in the tourism sector. He also extended an apology on behalf of the Maldivian people.
The diplomatic rift between Bharat and the Maldives, which has been brewing for some time, reached a new low as President Mohamed Muizzu, seen as leaning towards China, announced plans to expel all Indian military personnel by March 10. This decision escalated tensions and led to Bharat’s boycott call, affecting numerous sectors, notably tourism, a vital pillar of the Maldivian economy.
“It has impacted the Maldives a lot, and I am actually here in India. I’m very worried about this. I want to say the people of the Maldives are sorry, we are sorry that this has happened. We want Indian people to come on their holidays to the Maldives, and there will not be any change in our hospitality,” reportedly said Nasheed.
Nasheed praised India’s historically prudent approach to such situations, noting that instead of applying pressure, India proposed diplomatic dialogue.
“When the Maldivian president expressed a desire for Indian military personnel to depart, India’s response was notable. They didn’t resort to coercion or flex their military muscle; instead, they simply suggested to the Maldivian government, ‘Let’s discuss this matter,’” he explained.
Regarding the recent defense agreement between the Maldives and China, Nasheed dismissed it as not constituting a defense pact but rather a procurement of equipment.
“I see it more as Muizzu seeking to acquire specific equipment, primarily rubber bullets and tear gas. It’s regrettable that the government feels the need for more tear gas and rubber bullets. Governance shouldn’t rely on the use of force,” he remarked.
Recently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar pointed towards the inevitability of misunderstandings between nations but remained hopeful about resolving disputes through diplomatic channels.
“Humanity is humanity. Diplomacy is diplomacy, and politics is politics. The whole world doesn’t always run with obligation… so if we have encountered such a situation, the solution will come through diplomacy only,” remarked Jaishankar.
He further stressed the importance of clarifying misunderstandings, noting that sometimes people lack complete information or are misled by others’ perspectives.
The Maldives previously declined to extend the agreement under which Bharat was allowed to conduct hydrographic surveys in partnership with the neighbouring nation.
President Muizzu broke from the tradition by opting not to visit Bharat on his first official trip, instead choosing to visit Turkey and then China.
