Muizzu, President of Maldives.
As soon as the new government is formed in Maldives, there are signs of bitterness in relations with India. Following China’s gesture, less than 24 hours after taking oath as the President of Maldives, Mohammed Muizzu on Saturday made a formal request to the Indian government to “withdraw” Indian troops from his country. According to a release from the Maldives President’s Office, Muizzoo said the people of Maldives have given him a “strong mandate” to make this request to New Delhi.
The release said that the President of Maldives made this request to India during the meeting between Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Muizzu. The exact number of Indian troops deployed in Maldives is not known. Underscoring India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, Union Minister Rijiju on Friday represented the country at the swearing-in ceremony of Mohammed Muizzu as the new President of Maldives. Immediately after being sworn in on Friday, Muizzu stressed that he was committed to ensuring that his country remains free from any “foreign military presence” to maintain its independence and sovereignty. Muizzu did not take the name of any country in his address.
Appeal to Union Minister Rijiju
“At the meeting, President Muizzoo formally requested the Government of India to withdraw its military personnel from Maldives,” the Maldivian President’s Office said here. It said, “The President said that in the presidential elections held in September The people of Maldives had given him a strong mandate to make this request to India and expressed the hope that India would respect the democratic will of the people of Maldives.” During the meeting with Rijiju, Muizzoo provided assistance during the emergency medical situation. Also acknowledged the important role of two helicopters in carrying out the operation.
India helped Maldives in crisis
India was the first country to assist Maldives during the 2004 tsunami as well as the water crisis here in December 2014. According to the statement, Muizzu and Rijiju also reviewed the progress of implementation of various projects in Maldives in collaboration with India. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special envoy Shen Yiqin paid a courtesy call on President Muizzu. During this, Shen stressed the importance of strengthening China-Maldives friendship. Shen congratulated the President on his swearing-in and expressed confidence that relations between the two countries will further strengthen during his tenure. (Language)
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