Will be extremely detrimental: Maldives opposition parties warn President Muizzu over his 'anti-India' stance

The “anti-India” stance of the Maldives government-led by President Mohamed Muizzu will be extremely detrimental to the long-term development of the country, the two main opposition parties of the Island nation warned, merely two days after the administration allowed a Chinese spy ship to dock in a port in Male. The words of caution was given out by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats amid strained diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Male and Muizzu-led government’s bonhomie with China. A Chinese survey and research vessel is on its destination to the Maldives. The Xiang Yang Hong 03 was denied by Sri Lanka to dock at one of its ports. Earlier this week, the Maldives government said a Chinese ship, equipped to carry research and surveys, will be docking at a Maldivian port after being permitted by the Male government. In a statement, the Maldives government said, China made a “diplomatic request” for “rotation of personnel and replenishment”. Maldives also said the island nation “has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of friendly countries”. The Chinese research and surveillance vessel is expected to dock in Male on 8 February. It was spotted in the Java Sea off the coast of Jakarta in Indonesia on 22 January. The permission to allow the Chinese ship comes amid strained ties between India and Maldives after Muizzu made Beijing as his first port of call early this month soon after assuming office. Traditionally, New Delhi has been the first port of call for a Maldivian President. Alienating India will be extremely detrimental for Maldives The two main opposition parties of the archipelagic nation called India as the most long-standing ally and expressed concern about the government’s 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,” the two opposition parties said in their assessment on the direction in foreign policy of the Maldivian government. Stability & security in Indian Ocean vital for Maldives The two opposition parties of the Maldives further said the consecutive governments of the island nation must be able to work with all development partners for the benefit of the people of the Maldives, as traditionally done. “Stability and security in the Indian Ocean is vital to the stability and security of the Maldives,” said the members of the two opposition parties who together hold 55 seats in the 87-member house. The statement were made by MDP’s chairperson and former Minister Fayyaz Ismail and the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, MP Ahmed Saleem, along with Democrats party president MP Hassan Latheef and the Parliamentary Group Leader, MP Ali Azim during a joint press conference to flag the issues. The two parties committed to work together on several governance-related issues and expressed concern on another set of issues including the foreign policy and lack of transparency. Meanwhile, the Maldives has set a March 5 deadline for India to withdraw its troops. The announcement of deadline was made after Muizzu’s first state visit to China. With inputs from PTI