President hopes India will agree to debt relief measures

Yesterday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that his hope is that India will accommodate debt relief measures for the Maldives' in the repayment of the hefty loans taken from the country over consecutive governments. He further stated that he has not taken any action nor made any statements that may strain the relationship between the two countries.

During his first interview with a media since assuming office, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who was sworn in on November 17th last year, spoke about India-Maldives relations in response to questions from ‘Mihaaru’.

“The conditions we have inherited are such that there are very large loans taken from India. Hence, we are holding discussions to explore leniencies in the repayment structure of these loans. Instead of halting any ongoing projects, to proceed with them at speed. So I see no reason for any adverse effects [on Maldives-India relations]”.

According to President Dr Muizzu, the Maldives has taken significant loans from India, which are heftier than can be borne by the Maldivian economy. Due to this, he is currently discussing with the Indian government to explore options to repay the loans to the best of the Maldives’ economic capabilities.

During former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, the total amount of loans taken from the Export and Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) stood at USD 1.4 million (MVR 22 million). Together with this, the amount owed by the State to India by the end of last year stood at MVR 6.2 billion.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu expressed hopes that India would facilitate debt relief measures in the repayment of these loans.

When asked to comment on reports that suggested the withdrawal of Indian military from the Maldives as per the President's pledges had adversely affected the relationship between the two countries, President Dr Muizzu stated that his aim was to encourage the Maldives to become self-sufficient. He further explained that this was why his government had introduced air ambulances, purchased military drones to protect the country’s territorial waters and planned to procure more ships for the Coast Guard.

The President highlighted that the two helicopters and Donier flight gifted to the Maldives from India was being operated in Maldives under an agreement signed between the two countries. He affirmed that he honours that agreement.

“However, there should not be Indian troops in the Maldives”, he said.

“The most important thing is to not have troops. The second best option is for Maldivians to operate them. A solution has been reached as a compromise between these two options,” the President explained.

“That is, instead of Maldivians, their [Indian] civilians will be there. We are giving the top priority to achieving the most important target; which is the removal of [Indian] military personnel”.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that his government acted to find the swiftest and most prudent solution through deliberations to deal with the issue of Indian military in the Maldives.

"We have seen before, I think, in a previous administration... I think there was just one of these platforms then, just one helicopter at the time. There were about eight Indian military personnel stationed to operate it. They failed at sending these troops off. They even went to the extent of cancelling visas, I heard they tried in multiple ways. But they were not able to achieve it [remove the Indian troops in Maldives at the time]," the President said.

He was referring to attempts made during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration to send back Indian troops. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, however, points out that the government was unable to affect the removal of Indian military stationed in Maldives at the time even after having cancelled their visas.

While the same goals were being worked for in both instances, President Dr Muizzu indicates that results can be achieved through discussions and deliberations.

“Everything can be achieved through discussions and deliberations. That’s what I believe,” he said.

Should increase India-led projects

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that he had no objections to India developing various projects across the Maldives. He also stated India that has been instrumental in providing aid to the Maldives and has implemented the greatest number of projects in the Maldives. The President said he has conveyed his appreciation to the Indian government for their contributions as well.

“I also conveyed to Prime Minister Modi during our meeting that I did not intend to halt any ongoing projects. Instead, I expressed my desire to strengthen and expedite them”, he said.

“This is the conversation where I brought up mention of the High Level Committee,” President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said, referring to his discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dubai.

“I suggested a high-level committee to be established, one designed for quick decision-making even in the bridge project to ensure speedy work. The same for the Hanimaadhoo Airport”.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that India will continue to remain the Maldives’ closest ally and emphasized that there was no question about it. The only matter of contention that arose was the presence of Indian military in the Maldives, the President said, adding India, too, had accepted the fact and agreed to withdraw the military personnel.

“It is not nice to dismiss or disregard aid from one country to another as useless," he said.

In the interview, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu spoke about the strength of the long-standing relationship between the Maldives and India. Neither he nor the government has said anything that would strain their relationship.

“There is only one main issue. That is, foreign military having a presence in the Maldives, and those troops being from India,” he said. “Even if they are troops of some other country, we will deal with them in the same manner. I have said so very clearly. It is nothing personal but rather a matter of our national security”, he said.

He said that the Maldives’ own management of their economic zone does not mean they are distancing themselves from India. However, he noted that it was disheartening to see some people attempt to portray it as such.