Opposition Parties in Maldives Express Concerns Over Government's Anti-India Policies

Defense News ,Maldives :- In a significant development, Maldives' two main opposition parties, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats, have raised alarm over what they perceive as the government's "anti-India stance," labeling India as the nation's "most long-standing ally." The concerns were voiced following the Maldives government's approval for a Chinese research and survey ship to dock at a Maldivian port, a move authorized by the Male government for replenishment purposes.

This decision to allow a Chinese ship entry comes at a time when relations between India and Maldives are strained, notably after the newly-elected President Mohamed Muizzu chose Beijing as his first port of call, diverging from the traditional protocol of making New Delhi the inaugural stop for a Maldivian President.

In a joint press conference, MDP's chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, former Minister, and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, MP Ahmed Saleem, along with Democrats party president MP Hassan Latheef and Parliamentary Group Leader, MP Ali Azim expressed their apprehensions about the direction of the Maldivian government's foreign policy.

The opposition parties asserted, "The current administration appears to be making a stark pivot towards an anti-India stance. Both the MDP and The Democrats believe alienating any development partner, and especially the country’s most long-standing ally, will be extremely detrimental to the long-term development of the country."

Highlighting the importance of stability and security in the Indian Ocean for the well-being of the Maldives, they emphasized that consecutive governments must collaborate with all development partners for the nation's benefit, maintaining the traditional approach. The joint statement emphasized the significance of stability and security in the Indian Ocean for the overall stability and security of the Maldives.

The opposition parties, collectively holding 55 seats in the 87-member house, pledged to collaborate on governance-related issues while expressing concerns about other matters, including the lack of transparency in the state's financial status and undisclosed details of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements signed with foreign parties.

Among their concerns, the opposition also criticized attempts to censor the media and interfere with press freedom, raising additional challenges to the government's policies and practices. The joint statement, outlining their shared concerns, was published on the official websites and social media handles of both the MDP and Democrats.