GUWAHATI: The President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has sought relief from India in repayment of loans taken by the island nation.
President Muizzu stated in an interview to a Maldivian media outlet, "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, proceed with them at speed. So I see no reason for any adverse effects [on Maldives-India relations.”
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Earlier, Maldives had taken a $1.4 million loan from India's Export and Import Bank (Exim Bank), taking their total loan to 6.2 billion Maldivian Rufiyaa, as per reports.
The Maldives President further said that India will continue to remain Maldives' "closest ally," and stated that he has "not taken any action nor made any statements that may strain the relationship between the two countries.”
Earlier in January, a huge diplomatic row had erupted between India and Maldives after three Maldivian deputy ministers had made derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, over the pictures from his visit to India’s Lakshadweep island, after which the Indian government had summoned the Maldivian envoy in India and registered a strong protest against the viral posts.
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The posts had also caused a social media war between the two countries as many Indian social media users called for a boycott of the neighbouring island country. The incident had led to a decline in Indians visiting Maldives, as seen in the recent Maldives Tourism Ministry data, which showed that the number of Indian tourists visiting the Maldives has dropped by 33% this year as compared to 2023.
Notably, the Maldivian President has been known for his 'anti-India' rhetoric as his election campaign had the slogan of 'India Out', claiming that 70 Indian troops present in Maldives ‘threaten’ the national security of the island, and asking the Indian Government for their withdrawal after assuming office in November 2023.