Will not tolerate foreign interference: Yameen to Swaraj

Amid international pressure over <g data-gr-id="44">imprisonment</g> of opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Sunday bluntly told External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that his government will not tolerate “foreign parties” to interfere in domestic issues.

The assertion was made by Yameen when Swaraj called on him on Sunday during her visit to the island nation during which the two nations restarted the Joint Commission talks after a hiatus of 15 years.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Swaraj’s visit to the Maldives, however, made no mention of this. The statement issued by the Maldivian President’s office said, “He (Yameen) also stated that every country must be able to practice their democracy without foreign influence. The President noted that the stability of any government in this region was of utmost importance to the other countries.” 

Yameen, however, made no reference to the controversial conviction of former president Nasheed and his jailing for 13 years on terrorism charges.

The US and others have strongly criticised his trial with a UN panel ruling last month that Nasheed’s jailing was illegal and that he should be freed immediately.

In his meeting with Swaraj, Yameen reiterated that his government is committed to <g data-gr-id="32">upholding</g> democracy and rule of law.

Noting that this year would mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and India, <g data-gr-id="38">Yameen</g> expressed his gratitude to the Indian government for always being a close and reliable friend to the Maldives. He thanked the Indian government for its continuous support to the Maldives in the international arena, and in all areas of development, the statement said.

The President reassured Swaraj of his government’s commitment to strengthening the Indo-Maldives relations. 

<g data-gr-id="36">Meanwhile</g> External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj assured the Maldives that India will always be the net security provider to the Indian Ocean archipelago. However, she stressed that it is also important to insulate both countries from trends towards radicalisation and terrorism.

Noting that there has been an “unnaturally long hiatus” in the meeting of the Joint Commission, Swaraj <g data-gr-id="39">said</g> “I bring a message of ‘neighbours first’ from the Indian government”.

Following the meeting, the two sides signed MoUs on cooperation between Foreign Service Institutes of both countries and for cooperation sports and youth affairs.