Former President Mohamed Nasheed proclaimed Saturday that what the country needed was self sufficiency as opposed to foreign assistance.
He made the statement while speaking to reporters at Velana International Airport upon his return from India.
The former president stated that while Maldives would surely receive financial aid from foreign bodies, "...standing on our own feet with our own revenue is more important", adding that the nation was headed in that direction.
He expressed confidence that the nation's foreign debt and budget deficit would be decreased by the end of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's first term.
Nasheed has repeatedly urged against foreign finance, one of his most vocal concerns being the substantial amount of loans the previous administration received from China.
He raised the issue prior to his departure to India as well, accusing the Asian giant of trying to propagate its own interests in Maldives.
During his visit to India to participate in a seminar, Nasheed also paid calls on top officials of the Indian government including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.
Sign In