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"Maldives-India relationship always demonstrated that India is the first responder": Ex Maldives Foreign Minister
"Maldives-India relationship always demonstrated that India is the first responder": Ex Maldives Foreign Minister

Times of Oman

time16 hours ago

  • Business
  • Times of Oman

"Maldives-India relationship always demonstrated that India is the first responder": Ex Maldives Foreign Minister

Male: Former Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, noted that India has always been the first responder to Maldives because Indians have a generous heart. Shahid, while talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Maldives on July 25-26, said that the rise in aid from India shows its maturity and generosity. "The relationship between Maldives and India has always demonstrated that India is the first responder. Whenever we dial the international line, India responds first. It is for many reasons. First and foremost, because Indian people have a big heart and they are always ready to assist Maldives in the neighbourhood, they are most generous," he said. He said that despite the tensions, India decided with maturity that no matter what, the relationship between the people of Maldives and India should not change. "Second, India is so close to Maldives geographically. Whenever anything of urgency and distressful happens in Maldives, India has never let us increase in aid by the Indian government shows the generosity and maturity. Despite the diplomatic tension, India decided that the relationship is between people-to-people and governments change, political parties in power change but the relationship that exists between our two people is on solid foundation and has never changed," he said. Shahid said that it was important for Maldives to note that they must not use its neighbours for its own political gains. "It is important that we in Maldives recognise that true friendship requires Maldivian political parties and leadership not to use our neighbouring countries as a punching bag for political convenience. The ground reality hits us quickly, easily and that is what we are seeing," he said. He said that the countries should respect its friends. "So, it will be important for us to refrain from using our friends for political conveniences as a punching bags. We should respect and move forward with a true sense of friendship and cooperation," he said. He said that it was unfortunate that there was a dip in tourism due to diplomatic tensions, further hoping that PM's visit would make everything right. "There is a huge market just next door to us. It is only natural that we tap into the economic boom that is taking place in India. It was unfortunate that there was a dip in Indian tourism around arrivals in the Maldives because of the diplomatic tensions. But I think the PM's visit this time will put everything right," he said. Shahid further said that the current Maldives government will recognise that India is its genuine friend and both countries bear no ill-will towards each other. "The message that we are receiving shows that the current Maldivian government is ready to recognise the ground reality that India is a genuine friend and that India will always work to the greater good of its neighbours and there is no ill-will on the part of anyone. I am hopeful and I look forward to this visit by PM to be a new beginning, a way to further consolidate the relationship between our two countries," he said. He further said that it is important that Maldives recognises that the leadership must not use its friends for political gains and must move forward with respect. "It is important that we in Maldives recognise that true friendship requires Maldivian political parties and leadership not to use our neighbouring countries as a punching bag for political convenience. The ground reality hits us quickly, easily and that is what we are seeing. So, it will be important for us to refrain from using our friends for political conveniences as a punching bags. We should respect and move forward with a true sense of friendship and cooperation," he said. He expressed contentment at the thawing of frozen ties between the two nations. Shahid said that the strain was unfortunate, and was due to incorrect narrative of the current government. "I am delighted by the PM's visit. The PM's visit this time goes beyond symbolism because the PM is making a State Visit coinciding with the 60th anniversary of our independence. He is going to be the Guest of Honour here for the celebrations. This goes beyond symbolism because recently we have had very unfortunate diplomatic strain between Maldives and India because of the narrative that the current government used during the elections," he said. Shahid added that the PM's visit went beyond symbolism as it was taking place on the 60th anniversary of their independence. The visit also acknowledged that the narrative that the government was promoting was untrue. "The hate that was being mongered by the current government accusing our best friend India of such unnecessary things led to this diplomatic strain. It is so important that the PM be here with us as the Guest of Honour during our celebrations of our independence day which is the public recognition by the current administration that what they had been saying and what they had been promoting is not true. So, the Maldivian people are delighted and we are very much looking forward to welcome the PM," he said.

Your daily horoscope: July 24, 2025
Your daily horoscope: July 24, 2025

Globe and Mail

time16 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Globe and Mail

Your daily horoscope: July 24, 2025

All the little changes you have made in your life over the past year or so can now be combined to bring about a huge transformation. Give yourself permission to dream the impossible dream, then set about making that dream come true. Today's dynamic new moon means you will know just what to say and do to win people round to your way of thinking. Not only will they want to think like you but they will want to follow you too, so lead the way! Take things as they come today and don't worry that those you love most in life might not understand why you don't seem to care that much about what's going on. You do care, of course, but why get uptight about things you cannot change? If you make an effort to get to know someone new in your neighbourhood they could become one of your strongest allies. Today's new moon means if you take an interest in other people they will go out of their way to promote your interests too. Keep your wits about you today, because cosmic activity in and around the money area of your chart means you could lose a fortune as easily as you make one. Steer clear of people whose big talk is not matched by the size of their wallet. A new moon in your birth sign, along with positive solar links to both Saturn and Neptune, makes this the perfect time to set yourself higher goals. Up until today you have been aiming way too low. As from today you must aim for the stars. Your mind will be illuminated by a flash of inspiration today but don't get carried away and start running around shouting 'Eureka!' Keep what you have discovered to yourself for the time being, because if everyone knows its worth will be diminished. Cosmic activity in the area of your chart that governs dreams and schemes will get you thinking about new ways to exploit your creative abilities. Get together with like-minded friends and colleagues and find ways to change your fortunes for the better. You will be put to the test over the next few days and you will enjoy every moment of it. The more the powers that be try to beat you down the more you will come back at them and show you are too tough to ever be defeated. If you want to get away from your everyday environment for a while then just go. The new moon will inspire you to look further afield for the kind of excitement you crave and without doubt you will find it before the end of the week. You are far too smart to get involved in anything that resembles a get-rich-quick scheme and that good judgment could save you from a lot of bother today. Make it your business to point out the dangers to friends and loved ones as well. Relationships are under excellent stars at the moment, so stop worrying about what all the bad people out there might be doing and focus on those you are closest to emotionally. If your personal world is in harmony the wider world will improve as well. The value you choose to place on events will determine whether you see those events as either 'good' or 'bad'. Make it your No. 1 task today to think and act as if everything is working out according to a perfect cosmic plan – because it is! Discover more about yourself at

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