The Maldives will ensure and maintain the nation's sovereignty and independence at all costs, proclaimed Minister of Defence and National Security Adam Shareef on Friday.
The minister made the declaration in retaliation to remarks by Subramanian Swamy, a member of the upper house of the Indian Parliament 'Rajya Sabah', in which he had said that "India should invade Maldives if rigging of election takes place", regarding the upcoming Presidential Election in September.
In a heated response on his personal Facebook page, Shareef stated that Maldives was capable of ensuring its own sovereignty and independence, and that the nation would not allow any external forces to meddle with its domestic affairs.
He also urged against any actions that could comprise the archipelago's relations with its allies and neighbouring countries.
Indian MP Swamy had called to "invade Maldives" in case of election fraud after he met with former President Mohamed Nasheed last Wednesday in Sri Lanka to discuss the political situation of the island nation.
"[Nasheed] is apprehensive of gross rigging in their forthcoming election. India cannot allow that as a neighbour and also since current usurper President Yamin has humiliated Indians recently. We need an action plan," Swamy had tweeted after the meeting.
India has been expressing concerns over the situation in Maldives since the landmark ruling passed by the Supreme Court on February 1, in which the apex court ordered to free political prisoners and reinstate ousted legislators. India heavily criticised President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration for not following through with the verdict, and ties between the two South Asian neighbours have soured since then.
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