Maldives President makes U-turn, declares India as ‘closest ally’ and seeks debt relief from China
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, has praised India as its “closest ally” and sought debt relief for heavy loans. With loans from Exim Bank standing at USD 1.4 million, Muizzu hopes for leniency in repayment structures.
During his recent interview with ‘Mihaaru’, Muizzu expressed the need for discussions on loan repayments to India. This change in tone comes after Muizzu’s critical remarks towards India and the formal request to remove Indian military personnel from the Maldives by 2024.
In response to Muizzu’s actions, India has already begun the withdrawal of military personnel from the Maldives, with the first batch leaving this month. Muizzu aims to promote self-sufficiency in the Maldives, insisting that his decisions are not meant to distance the country from India or favor China.
Despite media reports indicating significant Indian investments in the Maldives, tensions between the two nations have escalated due to unsavoury comments made by Muizzu’s junior ministers about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India remains a crucial maritime partner for the Maldives in the Indian Ocean Region, despite recent strains in diplomatic relations.
