Opposition Parties Warn Maldives President Muizzu Against Anti-India Stance

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.

The two main opposition parties of the archipelagic nation called India 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.

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.

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.