President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says he does not wish for Maldives to get entangled in the territorial battle between India and China.
While giving an exclusive interview to BBC, Dr. Muizzu said the Maldivian citizens have made their decision about the Indian soldiers currently based in the country. He said the locals do not wish for foreign soldiers to remain in their soil for any reason.
"I will do my part to fulfill my promise to the public from day one," Muizzu said.
Muizzu said he met Indian Ambassador to the Maldives after the presidential election, during which the president-elect made the demand to deport the Indian soldiers back home.
While tensions between India and China have escalated regarding the Himalayan border, Muizzu viewed presence of Indian soldiers in the Maldives as a threat to the country's national security.
"Maldives is way too diminutive to get entangled in two global superpowers' power struggle. We cannot allow for us to get stuck in between them," Dr. Muizzu said.
President-elect further said he wished to review the agreements made with India regarding the helicopters and Dornier aircraft as well as any other agreements with India the current government entered into.
He reasoned that this was due to details of these agreements being concealed from the parliament as well.
Earlier rumors about the president-elect said he will make a 'pro-China' stand owing to massive loans taken from the Asian giant during his tenure as the Minister of Housing under former President Abdulla Yameen's administration. Muizzu however, denies about his 'pro-China' leaning allegations.
"I am pro-Maldives, and for me Maldives comes first always. Maldivian independence comes first, and I am not for or against any country," Dr. Muizzu added.
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