President Yameen on Thursday night declared that India remains as Maldives' closest "ally, even though it has doubts regarding the Maldives.
While speaking at the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) youth gathering, President Yameen said that there are people who want to change Maldives from a destination known as "paradise on earth" to a "war-zone".
After the state had failed to follow through the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 1 to release political leaders and reinstate lawmakers, former president Mohamed Nasheed had called on the government of India to send troops to Maldives. Highlighting this, Yameen stated that the Indian army will not come Maldives as there is no need for them to be here.
President said that since Maldives is situated in a geographically strategic location, we should not be trying to turn Maldives into a war zone; instead we should be trying to gain economic benefits from it. He added that he should be given the chance to gain such befits as the previous presidents had been given.
India has raised concerns about the politival state of the Maldives after the declaration of state of emergency on February 5.
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