Yameen caused Maldives-India strained relations: Gasim

Former President Abdulla Yameen has caused relations between Maldives and India to become strained, Jumhooree Party leader and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim said.

During a parliamentary debate on an emergency motion regarding the entry of Indian Coast Guard into Maldivian territory and their boarding of local fishing vessels, Gasim said that such incidents are a result of the foreign policy pursued by previous governments.

MP Gasim said that former Presidents Ibrahim Nasir and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom conducted foreign policy properly, and subsequent governments have not followed the same approach.

He said that the first Indian troops were brought to Maldives during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed. According to him, Indian troops were brought to Maldives during Nasheed's presidency in violation of the constitution.

“The following governments followed a similar path,” he said.

"The discontent and animosity between the people of India and the people of Maldives were set ablaze by Abdulla Yameen. This is a known fact."

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government issued a resolution banning the "India Out" campaign, and Gasim claimed that Yameen had attempted to revoke this resolution.

However, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had not allowed it to happen, nor wanted to hold any discussions on the matter, according to Gasim.