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Male, dated 9 January 2024, Tuesday

The government of Mohammed Moizzoo in Maldives has been put on the backfoot after his anti-India comments.

Maldivian opposition party leaders are now besieging their own government. Former Defense Minister of Maldives Maria Ahmed Didi has said that the manner in which the government ministers have commented shows the lack of foresight of the government. Maldives is a small country. On the other hand, India is our neighboring country and the security concerns of Maldives and India are similar. India has always helped us. India has made efforts to make Maldives more capable. Both India and Maldives believe in democracy. The current government has shown lack of maturity by looking at the centuries old relations with India.

Maria Ahmad Didi further said that India is like 911 (emergency number of Maldives) for us. Whenever we have any kind of need and we make a call to India, the people of India immediately reach out to us for rescue. India is a friend of Maldives who helps in distress.

He further said that whatever equipment India has given to Maldives including helicopters is for the help of Maldives and these helicopters are also under the control of Maldives National Security Force. The Maldives National Security Force also decides when and where these helicopters have to fly. Therefore, the point of protesting the presence of Indian troops is moot. Indian troops are in the country at the request of the Maldivian government. India has given Dornier aircraft in addition to helicopters. Due to this, it has helped in exposing drug cartels.