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 authorities officers, President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday took a swipe at New Delhi, saying his nation could also be small however that “would not give them the licence to bully us.” He added that Maldives shouldn’t be in anybody’s yard and is an unbiased nation.
Muizzu mentioned, “This ocean doesn’t belong to a selected nation. This (Indian) Ocean additionally belongs to all international locations located in it”. He additional said, “We aren’t in anybody’s yard. We’re an unbiased and sovereign state,” as quoted by PTI, citing the Maldives Solar On-line portal.
“We could also be small, however this does not give them the licence to bully us,” Muizzu mentioned. The Maldives PM additionally asserted that the Maldives is likely one of the international locations with the most important share of this ocean. With out naming any nation, Muizzu mentioned that although his nation has small islands on this ocean, it has an enormous unique financial zone of 900,000 sq. km.
Talking to the media on his arrival from China after concluding the state go to, Muizzu mentioned, “Although we now have small islands on this ocean, we now have an enormous unique financial zone of 900,000 sq. km. Maldives is likely one of the international locations with the most important share of this ocean,” as quoted by information company PTI.
Maldives-China Problem Joint AssertionÂ
Muizzu held talks with Chinese language President Xi Jinping throughout his go to to China. The 2 international locations signed 20 agreements. “The 2 sides comply with proceed firmly supporting one another in safeguarding their respective core pursuits,” mentioned a joint assertion issued on the finish of Muizzu’s talks with the highest Chinese language leaders, as quoted by PTI.Â
“China firmly helps the Maldives in upholding its nationwide sovereignty, independence and nationwide dignity, respects and helps the Maldives’ exploration of a improvement path that fits its nationwide circumstances, and firmly opposes exterior interference within the inside affairs of the Maldives,” the assertion mentioned, as quoted by PTI.
In his media briefing in Male, Muizzu mentioned China has granted USD 130 million in help for his nation, as reported by PTI. Muizzu said the majority of the USD 130 million help shall be spent on redeveloping the roads in Male, the place the mayor election is being held on Saturday.
He was the previous Mayor of the capital metropolis earlier than getting elected to the Presidency in November final 12 months. “That’s roughly USD 130 million in grants. This shall be spent on developmental tasks. The largest spending shall be on the event of the roads of Male,” he was quoted as saying by native information portal Solar On-line.
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