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Times of Oman
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Muizzu's narrative collapsed under his own words, people of India and Maldives deserve apology: MDP chief Abdulla Shahid
Male : Maldivian Democratic Party president Abdulla Shahid has demanded an apology from Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu over the claims he made in the 2023 presidential campaign. In a post on X, Shahid said that Muizzu tried to spread "false claims" in regards to Maldives' relations with India but now has taken an opposite stand over the same remarks. "After years of false claims, President Muizzu has now confirmed there are no "serious concerns" with the bilateral agreements between Maldives and India. He won the 2023 presidential election on the back of a campaign that claimed these agreements threatened our sovereignty and territorial integrity. That narrative has now collapsed under his own words," he said. Former Maldivian minister of foreign affairs said remarks made by Muizzu for India in the run-up to the polls "spread fear" and harmed the image of Maldives across the world. "It spread fear, broke trust, and damaged Maldives' reputation globally. The people of Maldives and India deserve an apology and a serious accounting for the harm caused," he said. Earlier in 2024, a massive row was triggered between India and Maldives under the Muizzu presidency after the Maldives deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging references to PM Modi's Lakshadweep visit. Indians, including cricketers and film celebrities, came out in open support in promoting local beach destinations and other tourist spots. The Maldives government distanced itself from the remarks made by its ministers. Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer said that these remarks against foreign leaders are "unacceptable" and do not reflect the official position of the Maldives government. Also, the Ministry of External Affairs on May 9 confirmed the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives and the "deputation of competent persons" to the archipelago nation. The removal of Indian troops from the country was the one of the election promises of Muizzu's party during the poll campaign. Muizzu said that "no Indian military personnel" will remain in the country after May 10, "be it in uniform or civilian clothing," Maldives-based The Edition reported on March 15, 2023.
The Print
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
'Muizzu's narrative collapsed under his own words, people of India and Maldives deserve apology': MDP chief Abdulla Shahid
In a post on X, Shahid said that Muizzu tried to spread 'false claims' in regards to Maldives' relations with India but now has taken an opposite stand over the same remarks. Male [Maldives], May 4 (ANI): Maldivian Democratic Party president Abdulla Shahid has demanded an apology from Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu over the claims he made in the 2023 presidential campaign. 'After years of false claims, President Muizzu has now confirmed there are no 'serious concerns' with the bilateral agreements between Maldives and India. He won the 2023 presidential election on the back of a campaign that claimed these agreements threatened our sovereignty and territorial integrity. That narrative has now collapsed under his own words,' he said. Former Maldivian minister of foreign affairs said remarks made by Muizzu for India in the run-up to the polls 'spread fear' and harmed the image of Maldives across the world. 'It spread fear, broke trust, and damaged Maldives' reputation globally. The people of Maldives and India deserve an apology and a serious accounting for the harm caused,' he said. Earlier in 2024, a massive row was triggered between India and Maldives under the Muizzu presidency after the Maldives deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging references to PM Modi's Lakshadweep visit. Indians, including cricketers and film celebrities, came out in open support in promoting local beach destinations and other tourist spots. The Maldives government distanced itself from the remarks made by its ministers. Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer said that these remarks against foreign leaders are 'unacceptable' and do not reflect the official position of the Maldives government. Also, the Ministry of External Affairs on May 9 confirmed the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives and the 'deputation of competent persons' to the archipelago nation. The removal of Indian troops from the country was the one of the election promises of Muizzu's party during the poll campaign. Muizzu said that 'no Indian military personnel' will remain in the country after May 10, 'be it in uniform or civilian clothing,' Maldives-based The Edition reported on March 15, 2023. (ANI) This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Middle East Eye
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Maldives bans Israelis from entering country, in protest against Gaza's 'ongoing genocide'
The Maldives has banned Israelis from entering the country in protest against Israel's war on Gaza and in "resolute solidarity" with the Palestinian people. President Mohamed Muizzu signed the legislation on Monday after it was passed by the People's Majlis, the Maldivian parliament. Muizzu's cabinet initially decided to ban all Israeli passport holders from the idyllic island nation in June 2024 until Israel stops its attacks on Palestine, but progress on the legislation stalled. A bill was presented in May 2024 in the Maldivian parliament by Meekail Ahmed Naseem, a lawmaker from the main opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party, which sought to amend the country's Immigration Act. The cabinet then decided to change the country's laws to ban Israeli passport holders, including dual citizens. After several amendments, it passed this week, over 300 days later. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "The ratification reflects the government's firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people," Muizzu's office said in a statement. Gaza's health ministry said on Sunday that at least 1,613 Palestinians had been killed since 18 March, when a ceasefire collapsed, taking the overall death toll since Israel's war on Gaza began in October 2023 to 50,983. The ban goes into immediate effect. 'The Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause,' the statement added. Last year, in response to talk of a ban, Israel's foreign ministry advised its citizens against travelling to the country. Chequered history The Maldives is an Islamic republic made up of 1,129 islands. It is considered one of the world's premier beach vacation destinations, known for its coral reefs, white sandy beaches and picturesque lagoons. This isn't the first time the Maldives has issued a travel ban on Israelis. The Maldives recognised Israel and established diplomatic relations after Israel became the third state to recognise the island nation in 1965 - but those were suspended in 1974. A ban on Israeli tourists from a previous era was lifted in the 1990s, and in 2009, Maldives and Israel signed several cooperation agreements to improve relations. However, in 2018, under new leadership, those agreements were severed, and the two countries have had rocky relations since then. In 2024, the country took in nearly two million tourists, with the top five arrivals from China, Italy, India, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Most tourist arrivals come from Europe (54 percent), and Asia and the Pacific are in second place with 35 percent of all arrivals. According to the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, 528 Israelis visited the country in the first quarter of 2024, down 89 percent from 4,644 in the first quarter of 2023. According to government data, over 200,000 tourists visited the Maldives this February, 59 of whom were Israeli.
