Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s inaugural state visit to India has ignited a wave of controversy, with the opposition party taking aim at his administration’s approach to diplomacy. The main opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led by Abdulla Shahid, has accused Muizzu’s government of being ‘naive and inexperienced’ in handling international relations, claiming that their recent actions demonstrate a stark departure from the aggressive anti-India rhetoric employed during the election campaign.
Shahid, expressing his satisfaction with the revival of the historical ties between Maldives and India, thanked India for its unwavering support of the Maldivian people. He highlighted the success of projects and initiatives launched during the pro-India administration of former President Ibrahim Solih, which have continued under Muizzu’s leadership. However, his statement took a scathing turn, criticizing the current administration’s approach to diplomacy:
“What we are seeing is the current administration coming to the realization that international relations cannot be conducted based on lies and deceit. What we are seeing is the Administration’s naivety and inexperience in diplomacy.”
Echoing Shahid’s sentiment, former President Mohamed Nasheed, considered the architect of the robust India-Maldives relationship during his term, lauded the positive developments in the bilateral ties. He emphasized the shared cultural and historical bonds between the two nations and expressed optimism about the future of their partnership:
“India & Maldives are natural partners with so much in common: music, films, food, culture, history and geography. We should always remain friends. So happy to see things fall into place & the relationship fixed. Congratulations to PM Modi and Pres Dr Muiz (sic),” Nasheed, who currently serves as the Secretary General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), posted on X.
The backdrop to this heated debate is a recent economic downturn in the Maldives, which has prompted India to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldivian government, including a USD 50 million Treasury Bill rollover. During his visit, Muizzu met with prominent Indian leaders, including President Draupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Modi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. A vision document issued after the bilateral talks between Modi and Muizzu outlined India’s commitment to bolstering the Maldives’ defense capabilities by providing platforms and assets to strengthen the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
The contrasting reactions to Muizzu’s visit have sparked heated discussions on social media, with many Maldivian users recalling his past anti-India pronouncements and highlighting the apparent shift in his stance. News portal Adhadhu.com reported that social media platforms have been flooded with posts from senior government officials highlighting their past opposition to India, creating a wave of irony and scrutiny.
The visit underscores the complex dynamics at play in the India-Maldives relationship, a relationship that has seen periods of both strong cooperation and significant tension. The opposition’s criticism of Muizzu’s administration’s handling of diplomacy, coupled with the positive pronouncements of former leaders, paint a picture of a multifaceted relationship grappling with the delicate balance between political rhetoric and practical needs.
