‘People Of Maldives Are Sorry’: Ex-President As He Urges Muizzu To Cease Anti-India Talks

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has extended an apology to India amidst strained diplomatic relations, urging current President Mohamed Muizzu to halt discussions perceived as anti-India under his administration.

Expressing concerns about the impact of India’s boycott on Maldives and its economy, Nasheed apologised to New Delhi on behalf of the people of Maldives. He appealed to Indian tourists to continue visiting the island nation, emphasising that the hospitality would remain unchanged.

In a statement to ANI, Nasheed said, “It has impacted the Maldives a lot, and I am actually here in India. I’m very worried about this. We want Indian people to come on their holidays to the Maldives, and there will not be any change in our hospitality”. 

#WATCH | Delhi: On the drop in Indian tourists and how much it has impacted the Maldives, former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed says, “It has impacted a lot. I am here in India, very worried about this. I want to say the people of the Maldives are ‘sorry.’ We are ‘sorry’… pic.twitter.com/RoHwu9TgqQ

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2024

Acknowledging India’s measured response during tense moments, the former Maldivian president said, “When the president of the Maldives wanted Indian military personnel to leave, you know what India did? They did not twist their arms. They did not display muscle, but just simply told the government of Maldives, ‘Okay, let’s have a discussion on that’.”

#WATCH | On Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s bully remark, former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed says, “…When the President of the Maldives wanted the Indian military personnel to leave you what did India do? They did not twist their arms and muscles but told the… pic.twitter.com/HiiV4U6jPj

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2024

Nasheed urged the Muizzu government to discontinue the anti-India narrative, stating, “It’s very unfortunate that President Muizzu had these discussions. I would call him to please stop these discussions on the Dornier flight and the helicopters. They were brought to the Maldives for medical evacuation, and there is a need for medical evacuation.”

Explaining the necessity of air transport for medical emergencies in the geographically dispersed islands, Nasheed said, “Our islands are far-flung, and we don’t have developed hospitals on every island. So, there is very often a need to bring a patient to Male, and to do that quickly would be by air, so we need that.”

Regarding recent defence and military agreements between Maldives and China, Nasheed expressed doubt, stating that he doesn’t believe it is a defence agreement but rather an attempt to acquire specific equipment.

“I don’t think it’s a defence agreement. I think that Muizzu wanted to buy some equipment, mainly rubber bullets and tear gas. It is very unfortunate that the government thought that there was a need for more tear gas and more rubber bullets. Governance is not through the barrel of the gun,” he remarked.

#WATCH | Delhi: Speaking on the Maldives and China defence agreement, former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed says, “I don’t think it is a Defence Agreement. Dr Muizzu wanted to buy equipment mainly rubber bullets and tear gas. It’s quite unfortunate that the government… pic.twitter.com/pQXwi4G7Uz

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2024

Sharing his perspective on elections in Maldives and the global reaction to the diplomatic tension, Nasheed expressed confidence that the Muizzu government would not secure a majority.