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Tag: Mohammed Muizzu

  • Maldivian President Mohammad Muizzu Assures India, Says ‘Will Never Harm…’ | India News

    Maldives President Mohammad Muizzu is on his first official state visit to India. Earlier, he visited India on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in June this year. In an interview with a leading daily, President Muizzu has assured India of its security.

    Maldivian President Mohammad Muizzu said that the island nation wouldn’t do anything that would harm India’s security. President Mohammad Muizzu made a big statement concerning China. He said, India is an important partner of Maldives and the two country’s relationship is based on shared respect and shared interests.

    President Droupadi Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to HE Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the President of the Republic of Maldives at Rashtrapati Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/dZaGg3HslQ — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 7, 2024

    Muizzu held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Ahead of this, he was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi this morning. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Maldivian President and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed as they arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan earlier today.

    Pleased to call on President @MMuizzu today at the start of his State Visit to India.

    Appreciate his commitment to enhance relationship. Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will give a new impetus to our friendly ties. pic.twitter.com/UwDjnCZ0t6

    —Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 6, 2024

    Muizzu is on an inaugural five-day bilateral visit to India. President Muizzu, along with the First Lady of Maldives, arrived in India on Sunday for his first bilateral visit to the country.

    #WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu hold a meeting at Hyderabad House.

    (Video: DD News) pic.twitter.com/37567UyJEO — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2024

    Muizzu also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday here in the national capital. “Jaishankar expressed his pleasure in welcoming President Muizzu to India, for the state visit. President Dr Muizzu conveyed his gratitude to the Indian government for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation upon arrival,” according to the press release from the President’s Office. of Maldives. (With ANI inputs)

  • ‘Stop Being Stubborn, Seek Dialogue With Neighbors…’: Ex-Maldives President Solih To Muizzu | world news

    Male: Former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has advised President Mohamed Muizzu to stop being “stubborn” and seek dialogue with neighboring nations to overcome financial challenges, Maldives-based Adhadhu reported.

    While addressing an event in Male to gather support for Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) parliamentary candidates contesting four constituencies in Maafannu, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said he had seen media reports that indicate Muizzu wants to speak to India about debt restructuring.

    He further said that the financial challenges of the country have not been caused by Indian loans. Solih noted that the Maldives owed a debt of MVR 18 billion to China while the nation has a debt of MVR 8 billion owed to India and added that the repayment period is 25 years, according to the report in that Adhadhu news portal.

    “However, I am confident that our neighbors will help. We must stop being stubborn and seek dialogue. There are many parties that can help us. But he [Muizzu] Doesn’t want to compromise. I feel them [the government] are starting to understand the situation only now,” he stated.

    Solih said that neighbors and Islamic nations from the Middle East will help the Maldives. In a sarcastic tone, he said that the Maldives has so far received only 50 tonnes of dates from the Middle East due to the actions of the Muizzu-led government, Adhadhu reported.

    He accused the Maldives’ current government of deceiving people and relaunching projects started by the MDP government. He accused ministers of lying to cover up those lies. Solih said, “It seems they [ministers] were summoned two days ago and he [Muizzu] said ‘I have become a liar in front of the people now. “None of you care about me.”

    Notably, ties between India and the Maldives have been strained since Muizzu assumed office as he criticized New Delhi during and after the presidential polls. Last week, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has requested New Delhi for debt relief measures, while stating that India will continue to remain Maldives’ “closest ally,” local media reported.

    He further claimed that he has “not taken any action nor made any statements” that may strain the relationship between the two countries. In an interview with local media ‘Mihaaru’, President Muizzu said that he hopes India will accommodate debt relief measures for the Maldives’ in the repayment of the hefty loans taken from the country over consecutive governments, Adhadhu reported.

    “The conditions we have inherited are such that there are very large loans taken from India. Hence, we are holding discussions to explore leniencies in the repayment structure of these loans. Instead of halting any ongoing projects, proceed with them at speed. So I see no reason for any adverse effects [on Maldives-India relations],” he said. Notably, this was Maldives President Muizzu’s first interview since assuming office.

  • Indian Civilian Team Reaches Maldives To Replace Soldiers Manning 3 Aviation Platforms | world news

    New Delhi: As the clock ticks towards the March 10 deadline for India to pull out its military personnel from the Maldives, a team of Indian civilians has landed in the island nation to take over one of the three aviation platforms that India operates there, news agency PTI reported citing local media reports on Wednesday. The Maldives Defense Ministry said in a statement, quoted by a news portal themaldivesjournal.com, that the civilian team arrived in Addu last night to complete the handover/takeover process. “The civilian team will operate and maintain the aircraft,” the statement said.

    This follows a high-level meeting in Delhi on February 2, where the Maldivian foreign ministry said that India agreed to replace its military personnel with civilians by May 10, and that the first phase of the process would be done by March 10.

    News agency PTI citing sources said that the Indian military personnel, who are expected to be replaced by civilians with expertise in operating the three platforms, are currently manning the three Indian platforms that have been offering humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the Maldivian people for the past few years using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.

    The move comes shortly after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who is widely perceived as a pro-China leader, declared in his first speech to Parliament on February 5 that the first batch of Indian military personnel will leave the island nation before March 10. He said that the rest of the Indians operating the two aviation platforms will depart by May 10 as per the agreement between the two countries.

    The news portal also reported on Wednesday that test flights will be conducted today (Wednesday) before the helicopter is sent to India for repairs. An Indian ship will arrive in Addu on February 28 carrying the replacement helicopter.

    The Defense Ministry statement further said that the Indian troops will leave the Maldives on the agreed dates.

    Muizzu, who became the President on November 17, formally asked India to withdraw 88 military personnel from his country by March 15, saying that the Maldivian people gave him a “strong mandate” to make this request to New Delhi.

    After the latest round of bilateral talks, India said on February 2 that it reached a “set of mutually workable solutions” with the Maldives to continue the operations of Indian aviation platforms in the island nation.

    The Maldives, which is located at the center of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), has a significant strategic value due to its closeness to India, which is only 70 nautical miles away from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles away from the mainland’s western coast.

    The Maldives has been a vital maritime neighbor of India in the IOR and it holds a special position in its initiatives such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighborhood First Policy.

  • ‘Apology To PM Modi, People Of India’: Maldives Opposition Leader To President Mohamed Muizzu | world news

    MALE: The leader of the Maldives Jumhooree Party (JP), Qasim Ibrahim, has issued a strong call for Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu to formally apologize to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India. This call comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries following controversial remarks made after President Muizzu’s recent visit to China.

    Diplomatic Strain Over ‘India Out’ Campaign

    Ibrahim highlighted the importance of diplomatic decorum, especially with neighboring nations, stressing that statements impacting bilateral relationships should be avoided. He pointed out the need to uphold national obligations, referencing President Solih’s decisive action in banning the “India Out” campaign, which was deemed a threat to national security.

    “Regarding any country, especially a neighboring one, we shouldn’t speak in a way that affects the relationship. We have an obligation to our state that must be considered. President Solih did consider this obligation and issued a Presidential Decree banning the “India Out” campaign. Now, Yameen is questioning why Muizzu, who participated with him in the India Out Campaign, has not nullified the Presidential Decree,” he said.

    He added, “The Decree should not be nullified, as it would only result in a loss to the nation. That cannot be done. I would tell Muizzu that it shouldn’t be done. Also, I call on President Muizzu to formally apologize to the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi regarding his remarks after the China trip.”

    Opposition’s Campaign Against Muizzu

    The ‘India Out’ campaign, spearheaded by former President Abdulla Yameen’s Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), has been a contentious issue, alleging Indian military presence as a violation of sovereignty. This campaign, perceived as targeting President Solih and the Maldivian Democratic Party, aimed to exploit anti-India sentiments.

    Withdrawal Of Indian Troops

    Recent diplomatic efforts have seen India and the Maldives agree to expedite the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation. This move aligns with President Muizzu’s party’s campaign promise and underscores evolving bilateral dynamics.

    Attack On PM Modi And Diplomatic Fallout

    Disparaging remarks made by Maldivian officials regarding Prime Minister Modi’s policies, notably concerning Lakshadweep’s development, stirred diplomatic tensions. Despite government disavowal of these statements, they underlined underlying frictions.

    Legal battles and political maneuvers continue, with the Attorney General’s Office registering a case over amendments enabling opposition lawmakers to impeach President Muizzu. Changes in parliamentary standing orders have altered the impeachment threshold, reflecting the fluid political landscape.

    The Power Game In Maldives

    With parliamentary polls scheduled for 2024, political parties are maneuvering to consolidate power. The amendment to parliamentary standing orders reflects strategic calculations as opposition parties seek to leverage political dynamics in their favour. The Maldives navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, balancing domestic politics with regional alliances, amid calls for diplomatic reconciliation and internal political restructuring.

  • Big Setback For Maldivian President Muizzu; Parliament To Hold Impeachment Motion Against Him world news

    In a big setback for Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, the opposition party which holds a majority in the country’s Parliament, has gathered enough signatures to submit a motion to impeach the President. According to a statement attributed to a legislator from the MDP, the MDP and Democrats have collaborated to collect signatures for an impeachment resolution. A collective endorsement of 34 members, comprising representatives from both the MDP and Democrats, has been secured for the motion seeking the president’s impeachment, which was interrupted amid yesterday’s turmoil in the Maldivian parliament.

    According to reports, the MDP had decided it would deny approval to Ali Ihusan, the home minister, and Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, the defense minister, if government lawmakers continued to disrupt the Parliament. Meanwhile, after a skirmish between political leaders inside the Maldivian Parliament, heavy police arrangements have been made to tighten the security in the parliament ahead of today’s session, according to Adhahadhu.

    A video disseminated by the media depicted police personnel gathering outside the Parliament complex, equipped with protective shields. On Sunday, the Maldives Parliament experienced unrest as members of the government’s PPM/PNC party disrupted the proceedings and the Speaker. A pivotal vote regarding parliamentary approval for the Muizzu government was slated for that Sunday.

    As dramatic visuals surfaced on social media from Male, a fight between MDP MP Isa and PNC MP Abdullah Shaheem, Abdul Hakeem was seen. According to reports, one video showcased Shaheem gripping Isa’s leg and the two falling together, whereas another visual that went viral on social media showed Isa kicking Shaheem’s neck and pulling his hair.

    The ruling coalition parties, the PNC and the PPP, released a statement portraying the ministers’ refusal as an obstacle to the delivery of public services.

  • India, Maldives Agree To ‘Fast-Track Withdrawal Of Indian Troops’: Maldives Foreign Ministry | India News

    MALE: In a major diplomatic development, India and the Maldives have reached a consensus to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation. The decision emerged from the first meeting of the High-Level Core Group between the two countries, held in Male’ on Sunday.

    BILATERAL COOPERATION REVIEW AND DISCUSSIONS

    At the meeting hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, both sides meticulously reviewed their existing bilateral cooperation. The discussions encompassed a broad spectrum of mutual interests, with a particular focus on development cooperation, as detailed in the press release by the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    WILLINGNESS TO INTENSIFY COOPERATION

    Expressing a shared commitment to intensify cooperation, both nations agreed on the swift withdrawal of Indian military personnel. The official statement emphasized this joint decision, and plans were set for the second meeting of the High-Level Core Group at a time convenient for both parties.

    AVIATION PLATFORMS AND ONGOING PROJECTS

    Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs disclosed that discussions also revolved around finding a mutually workable solution to sustain the operation of Indian aviation platforms, crucial for providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives. The talks further extended to enhancing bilateral cooperation and expediting the implementation of ongoing projects.

    MALDIVES PRESIDENT’S MARCH 15 DEADLINE FOR TROOPS WITHDRAWAL

    Local media in the Maldives reported that President Mohamed Muizzu urged the Indian government to withdraw its troops from the island nation before March 15. Notably, this move aligns with Muizzu’s party’s campaign promise, making the removal of Indian troops a focal point.

    FOLLOWING THROUGH ON CAMPAIGN PROMISE

    Muizzu, soon after assuming office, officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives. Last December, he claimed that, after a constructive dialogue with the Indian government, an agreement had been reached to withdraw Indian military personnel, marking a significant development in the diplomatic relations between the two nations.

  • After India’s Concern, Maldives Government Warns Unruly Leaders Of Action For Irresponsible Comments | world news

    New Delhi: The Maldives government on Sunday issued a statement cautioning its unruly ministers against making ‘derogatory remarks’ about ‘foreign leaders and high-ranking officials’. The statement came amid backlash over a minister in the newly-elected Mohamed Muizzu government and other leaders using derogatory and racist slurs against Indians and PM Modi over his tourism push for Lakshadweep. The island country said that the comments made by some of its ministers ‘do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives’.

    “The Government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives,” the statement said. “The Government believes that the freedom of expression should be exercised in a democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners,” it added.

    Government of Maldives issues statement – “The Government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of… pic.twitter.com/ RQfKDb2wYF — ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2024

    The government statement said that it would take a tough stand against the comments, saying, “Moreover, the relevant authorities of the Government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.” What is the whole controversy?

    A few days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Lakshadweep archipelago, social media posts from a minister and other leaders in the Maldives have stirred controversy. The visit by PM Modi to the country’s smallest Union Territory, comprising 36 islands, was seen as an initiative to promote tourism on the island.

    In these tweets, the ministers used abusive language against PM Modi, accused India of targeting the Maldives, and claimed that India faces significant challenges in competing with the Maldives in beach tourism.

    These tweets came in response to PM Modi’s posts on X (formerly Twitter), where he shared his experience of snorkeling in the Lakshadweep. The posts attracted widespread attention, leading social media users in India to suggest the island Union Territory as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.