Maldives deports 43 Indians among 186 foreigners over visa violations, drug offences

Over 180 foreigners, including 43 Indians, have been deported by the Maldives over visa violations and drug offences. The highest number of deported foreigners include Bangladeshis (83) followed by 43 Indians, 25 Sri Lankans and 8 Nepalis. The move comes as Homeland Security is working alongside the Economy Ministry of Maldives in its efforts to curb illegal businesses from sprawling in the country. These include both registered and unregistered businesses, the minister noted. Such businesses include those operated by a foreigner instead of the registered owner, Home Minister Ali Ihusan said. The minister added that the government seeks to shut down such illegal businesses and deport the foreigners who run them. A law enacted in December 2021 says that a registrar has the power to terminate businesses it believes are operated by a foreigner earning profits either directly or indirectly. Immigration Controller Shamaan Waheed said 186 foreigners found to have committed crimes have been deported from the Maldives. Immigration detained several people in operations conducted to find foreign workers who committed criminal offences, out of whom those with valid documents and passports were deported, he said. Immigration and police have been serially conducting raid operations two or three times a week, Shanahan said. The operations do not target any specific group, he added. The move comes amid a diplomatic stand-off between India and Maldives that has escalated in recent months, especially after the newly-elected President Mohamed Muizzu adopted a pro-China policy.