World

Maldives President Asserts Independence: ‘We Aren’t In Anyone’s Backyard’ Amidst Diplomatic Tensions with India

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, returning from a five-day state visit to China, stood firm in the face of diplomatic tensions with India, emphasizing that the nation’s size does not justify bullying. Muizzu, recognized as a pro-China leader, addressed the media without explicitly naming any country, amid a dispute with India regarding derogatory social media posts by three Maldivian ministers directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Highlighting the significance of the Maldives’ vast exclusive economic zone of 900,000 square km, Muizzu asserted that despite being a small island nation, they hold a considerable stake in the Indian Ocean. He stated that the Indian Ocean belongs to all countries within it, subtly challenging India’s role.

Also read: Al-Qaida-Linked Extremists Capture 4 Ukrainians After UN Helicopter Crash in Somalia

“We aren’t in anyone’s backyard. We are an independent and sovereign state,” Muizzu declared, emphasizing the Maldives’ autonomy. During his visit to China, Muizzu signed 20 agreements with President Xi Jinping, securing USD 130 million in assistance for the Maldives. A joint statement from the talks emphasized mutual support in safeguarding core interests and opposing external interference in the Maldives’ internal affairs. The president’s defiant stance reflects a diplomatic balancing act as the Maldives navigates its relationships with regional powers.

Kavya Bhatt

Recent Posts

‘In Kabul, A Cat Has More Freedom Than A Woman’: Revisiting Women’s Struggles Under The Taliban

The Taliban’s regime has since imposed over 100 laws restricting women's rights, stripping them of…

8 hours ago

PM Modi’s Gifts: A Glimpse Of India’s Cultural Heritage In Global Diplomacy

These gifts to world leaders reflect the diverse traditions, arts, and crafts of India, emphasizing…

11 hours ago

Dr Rajeshwar Singh Calls For Bold Goals To Make India A Global Power By 2047

Dr Singh stressed the importance of reaching a GDP of $15 trillion by 2047 to…

11 hours ago

Gautam Adani Faces Indictment In US: Legal Expert Vijay Aggarwal Dismisses Immediate Repercussions

Criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal weighed in on the charges against Adani. He believes the indictment…

12 hours ago

Adani Group Stocks Recover As Sensex nd Nifty Post Gains

After a major sell-off earlier in the week, Adani Group stocks, led by Ambuja Cements…

13 hours ago

Sensex Soars 1,961 Points, Nifty Gains 557 In Broad-Based Market Rally

A sharp rally in financial stocks and encouraging US labor market data fueled the uptrend.…

13 hours ago