Page 6 - Maldives

"People of Maldives are sorry": Former Prez Nasheed on India-Maldives row

Mohamed Nasheed, former Maldivian President said “people of the Maldives are sorry”. He urged Indian tourists to visit Maldives as India’s boycott call has deeply impacted the country’s tourism sector

Maldives military to have control of helicopter crew from India: MNDF

The Maldivian defence force on Thursday said it will have operational authority over the helicopter given by India to the island nation and the civilian crew that will pilot it. Addressing a press conference, the Principal Director of Plans, Policy, and Resources Management for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Colonel Ahmed Mujuthaba Mohamed said that discussions are underway for withdrawing Indian troops from the Maldives. He emphasised that the government of President Mohamed Muizzu has decided not to permit any foreign troops to remain stationed in the Maldives beyond May 10, PSM News, the state broadcaster reported. Last week, India said its first civilian team of technical experts has reached the Maldives to replace the military personnel operating an advanced light helicopter in the island nation. "The first team of technical personnel to operate the advanced light helicopter has reached the Maldives. It will replace the existing personnel who were operating this .

Maldives-China defence pact to obtain non-lethal weapons, training: Muizzu

The Maldives will get free "non-lethal" military equipment and training from China's military under a newly inked agreement with Beijing, President Mohamed Muizzu has said, underlining that it would further strengthen the Indian Ocean island nation's independence and autonomy. Muizzu also met Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China, and President of the Export-Import Bank of China, Ren Shengjun separately. Earlier on Monday, the Maldives Ministry of Defence announced that a military assistance agreement has been signed by Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Major General Zhang. However, it did not reveal any additional details. This is the first time Maldives has signed a deal with China for military cooperation of this level. Previously, China had been exclusively known for its assistance towards urban and economic development of the Maldives, news portal Sun.mv said. Speaking late on Tuesday evening with .

'No Indian troops after May 10': Is the Maldives getting closer to China?

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has affirmed that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10.

Amid diplomatic row with India, Maldives sign new military pact with China

The new military pact between China and the Maldives comes just weeks after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu requested the withdrawal of a contingent of Indian military personnel stationed there

China to provide military assistance to Maldives, inks pact to bolster ties

China on Monday signed a defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives to provide free military assistance to foster "stronger" bilateral ties with Male, weeks after President Mohamed Muizzu set a deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from his island nation. The Defence Minister of the Maldives Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon met with Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China, to discuss enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries. Maumoon and Major General Baoqun "signed an agreement on China's provision of military assistance gratis to the Republic of Maldives, fostering stronger bilateral ties," the Maldivian defence ministry posted on its X handle. The details of the defence cooperation agreement were not provided. The visit of the Chinese military delegation took place days after Male allowed Xiang Yang Hong 03, a hi-tech Chinese research ship to make a port call for the

Big bullies don't provide $4.5 bn in aid to neighbours: EAM Jaishankar

Stressing it was essential for an 'average person' to actively engage with foreign policy matters, EAM Jaishankar said, "Certainly, all Indians need to take more interest in foreign policy

'Big bullies don't give $4.5 billion': Jaishankar's sharp reply to Maldives President Muizzu

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded sharply to a question about whether 'India was being a bully in the region' (sub-continent and the Indian Ocean region). He stated that 'big bullies' d

Chinese research ship departs from shores of Maldives after a week: Report

A 4,500-tonne high-tech Chinese research vessel which made a port call here last week has left the shores of the Maldives, local media reports said on Wednesday. Officially, the Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 was here to "make a port call, for the rotation of its personnel and replenishment." Xiang Yang Hong 03 has returned to the boundary of the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) after docking in Male on February 22. However, despite departing from the Male harbour, tracking sites have shown the vessel's last signal near Hulhumale' two days ago, news portal Adhadhu.com said. Hulhumale is less than 10 kms northeast of Male. The vessel had docked on February 23 in Thilafushi, about 7.5 kms to the west of Male. The vessel is expected to have turned off tracking systems, which it also did en route to Male' on January 22 when it was in the Java Sea off the coast of Indonesia, it reported. The news portal also provided some details about the type of vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03. Th

Maldives visit of Chinese ship could rouse Indian Ocean security concerns

China's foreign ministry has said research by the vessel was "exclusively" for peaceful purposes to benefit scientific understanding

Centre's projects in Maldives gain pace, despite strained security ties

New Delhi has spent nearly Rs 7.71 billion ($93 million), or almost twice its budgeted 4 billion on projects in the Maldives during this fiscal year, which ends in March, according to an official

Maldives govt will scuttle illegal efforts to impeach Prez Muizzu: Minister

Accusing the Opposition of trying to illegally overthrow Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's government in less than 100 days in power, a senior minister has said the administration would not allow them to do so unless they cut "every vein in our throats". The comments by Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed came on Sunday as he was accompanying Muizzu on his first trip to Addu, the second-largest urban area in the Maldives in terms of population. Pro-China Muizzu, 45, defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year. Saeed alleged that the government is facing challenges from inside and out, and were being bombarded with the relentless spread of misinformation and baseless rumours, The Edition reported. He said that it is the responsibility of the Opposition to hold the government accountable. However, he said, it is not part of holding a government accountable to attempt to create obstacles for and .

Maldives deports 186 foreigners, including 43 Indians, on visa violations

The Maldives has deported 186 foreigners, including 43 Indians, after accusing them of committing crimes like visa violations and drug offences, according to a media report. The highest number of people deported was from Bangladesh. At least 83 Bangladeshis were deported followed by 43 Indians, 25 Sri Lankans and 8 Nepalis. The date of their deportation is not yet known, Male-based news outlet Adhadhu reported. The deportations come as efforts are underway in the Maldives to shut down businesses operated illegally. Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan said at a press briefing on Tuesday that the ministry was working together with the Economic Ministry to take action against illegal businesses operating under various names. These include both registered and unregistered businesses, the minister noted. Such businesses include those operated by a foreigner instead of the registered owner, Home Minister Ihusan said. The Home Ministry was working on shutting down such businesses and .

Bangaram, Thinnakara islands becoming tourism hotspots in Lakshadweep

When the fishing boat carrying tourists wades through the turquoise blue waters, as it approaches the Bangaram island, one could clearly see the coral reefs and flashes of multiple colors inside those natural structures. You can spot large sea turtles and various fishes running away from the sound of the boat's propeller. There is no need to question why Bangaram and its nearby Thinnakara island are considered the hot spot of tourism activity in Lakshadweep. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photographs during his visit and stay at Bangaram, taken on a newly formed sand bank there has made the place even more popular. The Lakshadweep administration is operating a five star resort on this uninhabited island and there is nothing else, not even a shop or people who are outsiders. Occasionally tourists who are staying in Agatti, come to take a stroll on the resort property and go back and the guests staying there return to their tranquility, with no outside noises but just the humming of

Maldives key partner in ensuring free & secure Indo-Pacific region: US

Describing the Maldives as a key partner in ensuring a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, the United States on Thursday said it is committed to strengthening cooperation with the South Asian island nation. US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu was in the Maldives recently for talks with its new leadership and the civil society. "The United States is committed to strengthening cooperation with Maldives, a key partner in ensuring a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," a State Department spokesperson told PTI when asked about the assistant secretary's visit from January 29-31. While in Mal, Lu met with Mohamed Muizzu and other senior officials to discuss shared priorities, including defense cooperation, economic growth, and democratic governance. "They also discussed progress on establishing the US Embassy in Maldives that will further strengthen our partnership and people-to-people ties," the spokesperson said.

India, Maldives' officials discuss collaboration in trade, mutual security

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said India will replace military personnel at aviation platforms in the Maldives with 'competent technical personnel'

Indian troops in Maldives will be replaced by 'technical personnel': MEA

The Mohamed Muizzu-led Maldives government has formally requested that India withdraw its troops from Male

IMF warns Maldives faces high risk of external and overall debt distress

IMF report advised Maldives to enhance financial sector oversight & crisis management, improve the business climate, strengthen governance, and enhance skill development

Will soon reach point of no foreign military presence: Maldives Prez Muizzu

President Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday said by bolstering the defence capabilities of the Maldives, the country will soon reach a point where there is no "foreign" military presence, weeks after he sought the withdrawal of Indian defence personnel from the archipelago nation. The statement comes a day after Muizzu, who rode to power on anti-India posturing, declared that the Maldives will maintain autonomous control over all its territories, including maritime, aerial, and terrestrial domains apart from enhancing Maldives' capabilities for conducting underwater surveys. In his first presidential speech on Monday, Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, had said the first group of Indian military personnel will be sent back from the Maldives before March 10 and the remaining manning two aviation platforms will be withdrawn before May 10. Currently, 88 Indian military personnel are in the Maldives primarily to operate two helicopters and an aircraft that have carried out hundreds of

Indian forces to leave Maldives by May 10, says Prez Muizzu; here's why

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday said that India and Maldives have agreed to send back the first group of Indian troops deployed in Maldives this year. Watch the video to know more