New Delhi: During the ongoing India-Maldives dispute, Maldives President Mohammad Muisu has stated that he has not allowed others to threaten his country. His response came on his return from China after his first international visit after becoming president. Although the name was not mentioned, it is considered that the reference is meant for India. He was speaking to reporters at Velana Airport in China.
Maldives may be a small country. But Muizu said no one has been given a license to threaten them. Although it is a small island in the Indian Ocean, it is an economic zone covering an area of 900,000 square kilometers. Maldives is a country located in a large part of the ocean. Muisu said the Indian Ocean does not belong to any particular country and Maldives is an independent sovereign state. He also appreciated China’s stance of non-interference in internal affairs.
At the same time, there was a big controversy last week when three Maldivian ministers made defamatory statements against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Even though the ministers were suspended, this created a big rift in India-Maldives relations. Tourist trips to the Maldives have been cancelled. Many famous people of India including Bollywood stars have come out against the bad statement of Maldivian ministers.