©Maldives Government
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Clarifies Stance, Denies “India Out” Agenda, Cites Concerns Over Foreign Military Presence
New York, USA – Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, speaking at Princeton University on Thursday during the “Dean’s Leadership Series,” denied having an “India Out” agenda and stated that his government’s stance was focused on addressing the broader issue of foreign military presence in the island nation. His comments come amidst concerns over the strain in India-Maldives ties since he took office last year.
“We have never been against any one country at any point. It’s not about India being out. The Maldives faced a serious problem with foreign military presence on its soil,” Mr. Muizzu said, as reported by Maldivian news portal Adhadhu.com.
Reiterating his position, President Muizzu added, “The people of Maldives do not want a single foreign soldier in the country.” His statement appears to reflect growing domestic concerns over foreign military deployments rather than an anti-India sentiment.
Ties between India and the Maldives have been under scrutiny since President Muizzu, perceived to have pro-China leanings, assumed office in November last year. The tensions escalated when the new administration requested the withdrawal of nearly 90 Indian military personnel who were operating three aviation platforms gifted by New Delhi. India complied with the request by May 10, replacing the military personnel with civilian staff to continue operating a Dornier aircraft and two helicopters.
In his address, Mr. Muizzu emphasized that his government respects India’s leadership and stressed that his administration had taken action against officials for making derogatory comments about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.
“No one should say such a thing. I took action against it. I will not accept insulting anyone like that, whether he is a leader or an ordinary person. Every human being has a reputation,” Muizzu said, indicating his commitment to maintaining diplomatic decorum.
Earlier this year, several deputy ministers in the Maldives’ youth ministry were suspended for posting derogatory comments about Prime Minister Modi, sparking backlash and prompting New Delhi to raise the issue strongly with Malé. The deputy ministers had criticized PM Modi’s post on ‘X’ following his visit to Lakshadweep in January, suggesting that the post aimed to position the Union Territory as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.
President Muizzu’s clarification comes at a critical juncture, as both nations navigate their complex relationship amidst regional geopolitical dynamics. His stance signals an intent to balance domestic sentiments with international diplomacy while avoiding further strain in bilateral ties.
