Over Anti-India Pivot, Maldives President Faces Massive Domestic Criticism

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats, two major opposition parties in the Maldives, have cautioned that the "anti-India" stance of the government led by President Mohamed Muizzu will be detrimental to the country's long-term development.

Mohamed Muizzu | samaa.tv

Maldives allowed a Chinese spy ship to dock in Male

This warning comes just two days after the Maldives government allowed a Chinese spy ship, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, to dock in a port in Male. The strained diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Male have been further exacerbated by the Muizzu-led government's close relationship with China.

The Chinese survey and research vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 03, was denied permission to dock at a port in Sri Lanka but was welcomed in the Maldives.

In a statement, the Maldives government mentioned that China had made a "diplomatic request" for the "rotation of personnel and replenishment." The island nation claimed that it has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of friendly countries. The Chinese research and surveillance vessel is expected to dock in Male on February 8, having been spotted in the Java Sea off the coast of Jakarta, Indonesia, on January 22.

This decision to allow the Chinese ship comes amid strained ties between India and the Maldives, particularly after Muizzu's decision to make Beijing his first port of call shortly after assuming office, breaking the tradition of visiting New Delhi first.

Two main opposItion parties criticise Muizzu

The two main opposition parties, the MDP and the Democrats, consider India their most long-standing ally and expressed concerns about the government's perceived anti-India stance. In their joint assessment of the Maldivian government's foreign policy direction, they emphasised the importance of working with all development partners for the benefit of the Maldives.

"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 opposition parties stated during a joint press conference. They further highlighted the significance of stability and security in the Indian Ocean for the Maldives' own stability and security.

The joint statement was made by MDP's chairperson and former Minister Fayyaz Ismail, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament MP Ahmed Saleem, Democrats Party President MP Hassan Latheef, and Parliamentary Group Leader MP Ali Azim.

File

In addition to expressing concerns about the foreign policy and lack of transparency, the opposition parties committed to working together on several governance-related issues.

Meanwhile, the Maldives has set a deadline of March 5 for India to withdraw its troops, a move announced after Muizzu's first state visit to China. The situation raises questions about the geopolitical dynamics in the region and the potential impact on the Maldives' relations with India and China.

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