On a visit here during which she held talks with her Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, Maldivian Foreign Minister Duniya Maumoon said that India-Maldives ties have "sufficient depth" and that her country discusses with India almost all issues, including the political situation.
"China's economic presence is felt in almost every corner of the world; from Bombay to London, and New York to Sydney. The Maldives is a country that is open for business, particularly in the infrastructure sector. There are Chinese investors in the Maldives, who have brought capital with them to invest in large projects. That should not worry India.
On whether the bitterness which India and the Maldives have witnessed in their ties in recent past has gone, the Foreign Minister, who is daughter of former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, said as close neighbours, and members of SAARC, there will always be points that require clarifications from each other and asserted that their relationship was "robust and strong".
"That is a relationship, which is rooted in shared
history, culture, and civilizational experiences. President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom places a special importance in expanding these ties into new areas, such as bilateral investment and trade," the Maldivian Foreign MInister said and also described as "golden" the years during which her father was ruling the country for the ties.
Asked about threat of increasing radical Islamic forces in the Maldives, she said, "Religious radicalism and fanaticism would be causes of concern for any country anywhere....The Maldives government is working on a carefully formulated programme of increasing awareness among the public on the dangers of radicalism, and in upholding the true values of Islam...." and the traditions of the Maldives.
"There have been criticisms from some countries, and I have to say it also appears that such criticisms have not considered the full circumstances of the case.
"We should not forget that the former President was charged and convicted for ordering the military to unlawfully abduct the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court and hold him in a military training camp for 21 days. That is a criminal offence in any country," she added.
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