In his first public response amid the sharp downturn in diplomatic ties with India over the disparaging social media posts by some Maldivian ministers and government officials, President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday took a swipe at New Delhi, saying his country may be small but that “doesn't give them the licence to bully us.” He added that Maldives is not in anyone's backyard and is an independent country.
Muizzu said, “This ocean does not belong to a specific country. This (Indian) Ocean also belongs to all countries situated in it”. He further stated, "We aren’t in anyone’s backyard. We are an independent and sovereign state,” as quoted by PTI, citing the Maldives Sun Online portal.
"We may be small, but this doesn't give them the licence to bully us," Muizzu said. The Maldives PM also asserted that the Maldives is one of the countries with the biggest share of this ocean. Without naming any country, Muizzu said that though his country has small islands in this ocean, it has a vast exclusive economic zone of 900,000 square km.
Speaking to the media on his arrival from China after concluding the state visit, Muizzu said, "Though we have small islands in this ocean, we have a vast exclusive economic zone of 900,000 square km. Maldives is one of the countries with the biggest share of this ocean,” as quoted by news agency PTI.
Maldives-China Issue Joint Statement
Muizzu held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to China. The two countries signed 20 agreements. "The two sides agree to continue firmly supporting each other in safeguarding their respective core interests," said a joint statement issued at the end of Muizzu's talks with the top Chinese leaders, as quoted by PTI.
"China firmly supports the Maldives in upholding its national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, respects and supports the Maldives' exploration of a development path that suits its national conditions, and firmly opposes external interference in the internal affairs of the Maldives," the statement said, as quoted by PTI.
In his media briefing in Male, Muizzu said China has granted USD 130 million in assistance for his country, as reported by PTI. Muizzu stated the bulk of the USD 130 million assistance will be spent on redeveloping the roads in Male, where the mayor election is being held on Saturday.
He was the former Mayor of the capital city before getting elected to the Presidency in November last year. “That is approximately USD 130 million in grants. This will be spent on developmental projects. The biggest spending will be on the development of the roads of Male,” he was quoted as saying by local news portal Sun Online.