Pro-China Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has pursued a hardline stand towards India. From No India to “Closest Ally”, Mohamed Muizzu has struck a reconciliatory tone as he sought a debt (approximately $400 million until the end of last year) relief from India.
Ever since taking oath as the President in November last year, the pro-China Maldivian leader has pursued a hardline stand towards India and within hours demanded that Indian military personnel operating three aviation platforms be repatriated from his country by May 10.
The comments praising India came after the first batch of Indian military personnel left the island nation this month as planned. By May 10, President Muizzu had demanded that all 88 military personnel, manning the three Indian aviation platforms, should leave the country.
During the interview, President Muizzu urged India to accommodate debt relief measures for the Maldives in the repayment of “the hefty loans taken over consecutive governments”.
“The conditions we have inherited are such that there are very large loans taken from India. Hence, we are holding discussions to explore leniencies in the repayment structure of these loans.
“Instead of halting any ongoing projects… to proceed with them at speed, so I see no reason for any adverse effects (on Maldives-India relations),” President Muizzu added.
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