MDP leaders meet India's Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar

Leaders of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have met with India's Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar who is currently on a three day visit to Maldives.

After the meeting, Jaishankar posted on social media X, expressing pleasure at having met with MDP President Abdulla Shahid and other party officials, and recognizing the party's support towards strengthening ties between Maldives and India.

For the meeting, MDP President and former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid was accompanied by MDP Vice President Hisaan Hussain, Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazil, Youth Wing President Rifga Shiham, MDP Foreign Relations Committee member and former Minister Aminath Shauna, former MP Hussain Shaheem, and Secretary General Shaazly Shafeeq.

MDP expressed gratitude to India for their continued support to the Maldives.

They went on to condemn the incumbent government's previous stance on India, stating, "The current government’s initial stoking of anti-India sentiments through aggressive slogans, mockery and the branding of a time-tested friend and development partner as a regional bully, has caused a decline in the Maldives international standing, economic loss, and many other unnecessary difficulties, and challenges".

The party called on the current government to issue a formal apology to India for earlier comments and actions from government representatives.

The opposition party welcomed the different approach taken by the government at present, and the efforts to rebuild the historical close ties between Maldives and India.

"The MDP hopes that this shift will not be temporary or superficial, but consistent and meaningful in the best interests of the people of the Maldives," they said.

Minister Jaishankar is in Maldives on a visit on invitation from Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer. Earlier today, he paid a courtesy call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.