News Analysis India

Tag: Mohammed Muizzu

  • Maldives’ India-Hater President Is ‘Corrupt’ To The Core! May Be Impeached Soon world news

    Known for his hate for India and pro-China stance, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has landed into another controversy ahead of the Parliamentary polls in the island nation. A leaked report claimed involvement of Muizzu in corruption in 2018, a charge dismissed by him. Now, the opposition parties have demanded a probe and impeachment of the President. The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and People’s National Front (PNF) demanded an investigation into the matter.

    According to local media reports, the political controversy began on Monday when an anonymous account, ‘Hassan Kurusee,’ shared leaked intelligence reports on social media. These reports purportedly included documents from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Maldives Monetary Authority and the Maldives Police Service, which allegedly implicated President Muizzu in corruption.

    The Majlis elections are scheduled for Sunday, and the atmosphere has been tainted by accusations traded between the primary opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC).

    “These reports, dated circa 2018, claim irregularities in money transfers to President Muizzu’s personal bank account, highlighting 10 critical red flag indicators of financial misconduct. These indicators suggest involvement with politically exposed persons, embezzlement, structured transactions, and the use of corporate entities to hide fund origins,” news portal Maldives Republic (mvrepublic.Com) reported.

    After leaked intelligence reports surfaced, former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed called for Muizzu’s impeachment. Jameel took to his social media platform He also accused President Muizzu of extensive corruption in his flagship Ras Male’ development project and alleged excessive spending on public relations.

    A total of 368 candidates are contesting for 93 seats in this year’s parliamentary elections on April 21, according to media reports. The outcome of the elections will determine whether the opposition parties can act against President Muizzu, who assumed charge in November last year. (With PTI inputs)

  • Maldivian President Muizzu’s Ex-Minister Mariyam Shiuna Mocks India Once Again; Apologies After Backlash | world news

    Days after India allowed the export of certain essential commodities to Maldives at the request of the island nation, its former minister once again mocked New Delhi while targeting the opposition MDP. Mariyam Shiuna belongs to the People’s National Congress, the party of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. Shiuna grabbed the limelight when she joined fellow ministers in mocking India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted Lakshadweep as a tourist destination. While Shiuna along with two fellow ministers was suspended from the Muizzu’s cabinet, her hate for India is yet to end as she mocked New Delhi once again. Her recent

    Latest Controversy: Insulting Indian Flag

    Mariyam Shiuna, the former Maldivian minister, in a recent post which has been deleted after backlash, mocked the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and India by posting an altered picture of Ashok Chakra, a part of the Indian tricolour. When Indian as wells as Maldivian social media users reacted sharply to the photo, Shiuna deleted the post and issued a clarification.

    Mariyam Shiuna’s Clarification

    After deleting the post, Shiuna said that she was unaware of the photo’s resemblance to the Indian flag and she would be careful in future. “I would like to address a recent social media post of mine that has garnered attention and criticism. I extend my sincerest apologies for any confusion or offense caused by the content of my recent post. It was brought to my attention that the image used in my response to the Maldivian opposition party MDP bore a resemblance to the Indian flag. I want to make it clear that this was entirely unintentional, and I sincerely regret any misunderstanding it may have caused,” said Shiuna.

    I would like to address a recent social media post of mine that has garnered attention and criticism. I extend my sincerest apologies for any confusion or offense caused by the content of my recent post.

    It was brought to my attention that the image used in my response to the… — Mariyam Shiuna (@shiuna_m) April 8, 2024

    The former minister also said that Maldives deeply values ​​its relationship and, the mutual respect it shares with India. “In future, I will be more vigilant in verifying the content I share to prevent such oversights,” she added.

    However, Shiuna’s Shiuna appears to have deliberately posted the photo to insult India and the MDP which favors friendly relations with New Delhi.

    Who Is Mariyam Shiuna?

    Mariyam Shuuna has served as a former minister in the Maldivian government. She worked as the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Information, and Arts in the Maldives. Shuuna is also a spokesperson for the Male City Council. She sparked controversy when she made disrespectful remarks regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent trip to Lakshadweep. After facing heavy backlash, she later deleted her post. The Maldivian government distanced itself from Shuuna’s statement at that time.

    Maldives-India Relation

    Maldives’ relations with India have become strained under the current leadership of President Muizzu who holds a pro-China view. Muizzu came to power riding on the ‘India Out’ campaign and has taken several steps in the last six months that have an anti-India tinge. It includes the ousting of 80 Indian soldiers posted in Male and allowing an alleged Chinese spy vessel to explore the Indian Ocean region.

  • Indian Civilian Team Reaches Maldives To Replace Soldiers Manning 3 Aviation Platforms | world news

    New Delhi: As the clock ticks towards the March 10 deadline for India to pull out its military personnel from the Maldives, a team of Indian civilians has landed in the island nation to take over one of the three aviation platforms that India operates there, news agency PTI reported citing local media reports on Wednesday. The Maldives Defense Ministry said in a statement, quoted by a news portal themaldivesjournal.com, that the civilian team arrived in Addu last night to complete the handover/takeover process. “The civilian team will operate and maintain the aircraft,” the statement said.

    This follows a high-level meeting in Delhi on February 2, where the Maldivian foreign ministry said that India agreed to replace its military personnel with civilians by May 10, and that the first phase of the process would be done by March 10.

    News agency PTI citing sources said that the Indian military personnel, who are expected to be replaced by civilians with expertise in operating the three platforms, are currently manning the three Indian platforms that have been offering humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the Maldivian people for the past few years using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.

    The move comes shortly after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who is widely perceived as a pro-China leader, declared in his first speech to Parliament on February 5 that the first batch of Indian military personnel will leave the island nation before March 10. He said that the rest of the Indians operating the two aviation platforms will depart by May 10 as per the agreement between the two countries.

    The news portal also reported on Wednesday that test flights will be conducted today (Wednesday) before the helicopter is sent to India for repairs. An Indian ship will arrive in Addu on February 28 carrying the replacement helicopter.

    The Defense Ministry statement further said that the Indian troops will leave the Maldives on the agreed dates.

    Muizzu, who became the President on November 17, formally asked India to withdraw 88 military personnel from his country by March 15, saying that the Maldivian people gave him a “strong mandate” to make this request to New Delhi.

    After the latest round of bilateral talks, India said on February 2 that it reached a “set of mutually workable solutions” with the Maldives to continue the operations of Indian aviation platforms in the island nation.

    The Maldives, which is located at the center of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), has a significant strategic value due to its closeness to India, which is only 70 nautical miles away from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles away from the mainland’s western coast.

    The Maldives has been a vital maritime neighbor of India in the IOR and it holds a special position in its initiatives such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighborhood First Policy.

  • ‘Apology To PM Modi, People Of India’: Maldives Opposition Leader To President Mohamed Muizzu | world news

    MALE: The leader of the Maldives Jumhooree Party (JP), Qasim Ibrahim, has issued a strong call for Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu to formally apologize to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India. This call comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries following controversial remarks made after President Muizzu’s recent visit to China.

    Diplomatic Strain Over ‘India Out’ Campaign

    Ibrahim highlighted the importance of diplomatic decorum, especially with neighboring nations, stressing that statements impacting bilateral relationships should be avoided. He pointed out the need to uphold national obligations, referencing President Solih’s decisive action in banning the “India Out” campaign, which was deemed a threat to national security.

    “Regarding any country, especially a neighboring one, we shouldn’t speak in a way that affects the relationship. We have an obligation to our state that must be considered. President Solih did consider this obligation and issued a Presidential Decree banning the “India Out” campaign. Now, Yameen is questioning why Muizzu, who participated with him in the India Out Campaign, has not nullified the Presidential Decree,” he said.

    He added, “The Decree should not be nullified, as it would only result in a loss to the nation. That cannot be done. I would tell Muizzu that it shouldn’t be done. Also, I call on President Muizzu to formally apologize to the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi regarding his remarks after the China trip.”

    Opposition’s Campaign Against Muizzu

    The ‘India Out’ campaign, spearheaded by former President Abdulla Yameen’s Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), has been a contentious issue, alleging Indian military presence as a violation of sovereignty. This campaign, perceived as targeting President Solih and the Maldivian Democratic Party, aimed to exploit anti-India sentiments.

    Withdrawal Of Indian Troops

    Recent diplomatic efforts have seen India and the Maldives agree to expedite the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the island nation. This move aligns with President Muizzu’s party’s campaign promise and underscores evolving bilateral dynamics.

    Attack On PM Modi And Diplomatic Fallout

    Disparaging remarks made by Maldivian officials regarding Prime Minister Modi’s policies, notably concerning Lakshadweep’s development, stirred diplomatic tensions. Despite government disavowal of these statements, they underlined underlying frictions.

    Legal battles and political maneuvers continue, with the Attorney General’s Office registering a case over amendments enabling opposition lawmakers to impeach President Muizzu. Changes in parliamentary standing orders have altered the impeachment threshold, reflecting the fluid political landscape.

    The Power Game In Maldives

    With parliamentary polls scheduled for 2024, political parties are maneuvering to consolidate power. The amendment to parliamentary standing orders reflects strategic calculations as opposition parties seek to leverage political dynamics in their favour. The Maldives navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, balancing domestic politics with regional alliances, amid calls for diplomatic reconciliation and internal political restructuring.

  • Pro-Beijing Maldivian President Muizzu Asks India To Withdraw Troops By March 15; Says Taiwan Part Of China | world news

    Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who was on a visit to China days ago, has again shown his pro-Beijing attitude by not only rejecting the existence of Taiwan but also by setting a deadline for India to withdraw its troops from the island nation. Muizzu came to power on November 17 last year. Breaking away from the tradition of first visiting India, Muizzu went to China and inked several deals with China. It also urged China to send more tourists to Male.

    Pursuing ‘India Out’ Policy

    Muizzu, who came to power in November last year through his vicious ‘India Out’ campaign, has asked India to withdraw its military personnel from his country by March 15. According to the latest government figures, there are 88 Indian military personnel in the Maldives. .

    “Indian military personnel cannot stay in the Maldives. This is the policy of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and that of this administration,” said Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary at the President’s Office. Amid this, a high-level core group of the two nations met today to negotiate the withdrawal of troops.

    Diplomatic Row Between India and Maldives

    The call for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel arises amid heightened tensions between the two nations, triggered by offensive remarks made by three deputy ministers of the Muizzu government against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following their controversial social media posts, Muizzu suspended the three ministers. These comments raised concerns in India and led to calls for a boycott by Indian tourists, who held the highest numbers, followed by Russia, with Chinese tourists ranking third.

    Muizzu’s Veiled Attack On India

    Muizzu, who has just returned from China, has sought to move Maldives closer to Beijing. Speaking to reporters, he said that Maldives being small doesn’t give anyone a license to bully it. He also announced plans to reduce the country’s dependency on India, including securing imports of essential food commodities and medicine and consumables from other countries. He also said that the Indian Ocean doesn’t belong to just one country and belongs to all countries located in the ocean.

    Toeing Chinese Line

    During his China visit, Maldives and China issued a joint statement that even rejected the existence of Taiwan. “The Maldives is firmly committed to the one-China principle, recognizing that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Maldives opposes any statement or action that undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposes all ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities, and will not develop any form of official relations with Taiwan,” read the statement.

    Maldives To Become Chinese Colony?

    This shows that Muizzu has already bowed down to China for financial assistance and trade needs. Muizzu is not realizing that his pro-Beijing moves may lead the Maldives into a crisis like Sri Lanka. While India was there to help Colombo, that may not be the case for Maldives. Thus, the day is not far when Maldives will become a colony of China run by a puppet government. This definitely poses a security challenge for India and the Indian Navy needs to be on alert for any misadventure in the region.

  • ‘We May Be Small But No One Has License To Bully Us’: Maldives President Amid Row With India | India News

    MALE: Returning from his high-profile five-day state visit to China, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu took an apparent dig at India, emphasizing that the size of his nation doesn’t grant others the authority to bully them. Muizzu’s statement follows a diplomatic dispute with India over derogatory social media posts by three Maldivian ministers targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Oceanic Sovereignty

    President Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, asserted Maldives’ significance, highlighting its extensive exclusive economic zone of 900,000 square km. He declared, “This ocean does not belong to a specific country. This (Indian) Ocean also belongs to all countries situated in it,” in a veiled reference to India.

    ‘We Aren’t In Anyone’s Backyard’

    Addressing the media on his return, Muizzu emphasized, “We aren’t in anyone’s backyard. We are an independent and sovereign state,” reaffirming Maldives’ autonomy amid regional tensions.

    Strategic Agreements With China

    During his visit to China, Muizzu engaged in discussions with President Xi Jinping, culminating in the signing of 20 agreements. The joint statement highlighted mutual support in safeguarding core interests, emphasizing China’s backing for Maldives’ sovereignty and opposition to external interference.

    China’s Financial Assistance To Male

    China has extended substantial support to Maldives, granting USD 130 million in assistance. Muizzu revealed that the funds would primarily be allocated to the redevelopment of roads in the capital, Male. This support follows the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

    China’s Ambassador to Maldives, Wang Lixin, outlined three key factors contributing to the robust ties between the two nations: mutual political trust, alignment with President Xi’s initiatives, and adherence to the principles of extensive consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits.

    Diplomatic Challenges With India

    Muizzu’s visit to China was overshadowed by a diplomatic row with India, stemming from derogatory remarks by Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Modi. Additionally, a report by the EU Election Observation Mission accused the ruling coalition of deploying anti-India sentiments and spreading disinformation in the 2023 presidential elections.

    Despite the diplomatic tensions, China and Maldives signed a USD 50 million agreement for an integrated tourism zone in Hulhumale’ and the construction of 30,000 social housing units in Rasmale’. Further collaborations include the development of a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Vilimale’, signaling an expanded and sustained cooperation between the two nations.

    Agreement On Flight Operations

    During the visit, an agreement was reached to permit Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, to conduct domestic flight operations in China. This move adds a new dimension to the growing partnership between the two countries.

    The significance of this collaboration becomes even more pronounced considering the historical context, with India’s substantial contributions to the development of Maldives, including the establishment and enhancement of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male.

  • Maldives Opposition Leader Stresses On ‘Tougher Stand To Repair’ Ties With India | world news

    Amid the setback for the Maldives’ tourism industry, not only the tourism bodies of the island nation but even the opposition leaders are now mounting pressure on the Muizzu government to mend ties with India before it gets too late. Amid the diplomatic row after disparaging comments against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Male ministers, the Government of India not only raised the issue officially but lodged a strong protest by summoning the Maldives ambassador to India.

    Amid the ongoing row, opposition leader and the Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party, Fayyaz Ismail, has called for a “tougher stand” by the Muizzu government. He said that the racist comments against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were just isolated individual opinions of these people. He also underlined how the entire matter has reached a lot of Indians as well as Maldivians, due to easy accessibility of social media.

    “I personally believe the government should take a tougher stand on that because this goes beyond government to government. Now, because of the easy accessibility of social media, this has reached to a lot of Indians and to a lot of Maldivians. And as arguments take over from both side, there has been a lot of insults coming back and forth. So the government needs to show that there was no intention on the part of the government. These were just isolated individual opinions of these people who, unfortunately, were given positions in the government. So that needs to be clearly shown to the Indians, to the Maldivians, and to the entire world at large,” he told ANI.

    On the other hand, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is on a China visit where he is likely to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and sign key agreements. During this visit, Muizzu has urged China to increase tourists to the island nation. China has also reacted sharply to the diplomatic row by accusing India of ‘Hegemonic Mentality’ and ‘Lack Of Confidence’. China has earlier said that it never asked Maldives to reject India.

    On January 2, PM Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and shared several pictures, including an ‘exhilarating experience’ of him trying his hand at snorkelling. In a series of posts on your list.”

    In a post that has now been deleted, the Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Mariyam Shiuna, made a mocking and disrespectful reference to PM Modi. Indians, including cricketers and film celebrities, have since come out in open support in promoting local beach destinations and other tourist spots. They also voiced support for PM Modi’s call for promoting beach tourism in Lakshadweep.

  • ‘No Zero-Sum Game’: Muizzu In Beijing, China Says ‘Never Asked Maldives To Reject India’ | India News

    BEIJING: In the wake of a diplomatic dispute between India and the Maldives following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep, China has called upon New Delhi to approach its South Asian neighbors with an ”open mind.” The Global Times, China’s state media, emphasized in an editorial that it considers the Maldives an ”equal partner and respects its sovereignty.”

    Maldives An Equal Partner: China

    The editorial affirms China’s respect for the friendly and cooperative relationship between the Maldives and India, recognizing the significance of Malé maintaining good relations with New Delhi. Contrary to speculation, Beijing clarified that it has never pressured the Maldives to reject India due to Sino-Indian conflicts. Furthermore, China views cooperation between the Maldives and India as neither unfriendly nor a threat, expressing willingness for trilateral cooperation.

    Not A Zero-Sum Game: China

    China emphasized that its cooperation with South Asian countries is not a “zero-sum game.” The editorial urged New Delhi to adopt a more open-minded approach, emphasizing the need to understand that China’s engagement in the region is not at the expense of India.

    Muizzu’s China Visit

    The Global Times addressed the misinterpretation by Indian media regarding President Muizzu’s visit to China before India. It highlighted that such speculations, assuming the order of visits reflects the importance of nations, reveal India’s perception of South Asia as its sphere of influence. President Muizzu’s decision to visit China first does not imply a pro-China and anti-India stance but rather signifies a normal state-to-state relationship. The editorial encouraged understanding this diplomatic move within the context of fostering healthy relations.

    Maldives Suspends Ministers Over Derogatory Remarks On PM Modi

    In a related development, three Maldivian ministers were suspended for making derogatory comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep. The Maldivian government distanced itself from these remarks, clarifying that they represented the ministers’ personal opinions and not the official stance.

    Tensions between India and the Maldives have escalated since President Muizzu assumed power, defeating his India-friendly predecessor. The strained relations, fueled by perceptions of Muizzu as a pro-China politician, have added complexity to the diplomatic landscape.

    President Muizzu Arrives In China

    President Muizzu, accompanied by his wife, visited the Xiamen Free Trade Zone in China’s Fujian province. During the visit, he is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi and sign several agreements, marking a new historical starting point in Sino-Maldivian relations.

    The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, expressed optimism that the visit would provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations to reach new heights. As President Muizzu engages in diplomatic discussions and agreements, the international community awaits the outcomes of this significant visit.