Last week, after a Social Media Controversy, Maldives suspended 3 Ministers for Derogatory Tweets on the Indian PM. The controversy – triggered by posts criticizing Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep – erupted on the same day that Maldives President Mohamad Muizzu embarked on a five-day visit to China.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday struck a defiant note saying that his country may be small but “doesn’t give them the license to bully us”.
“We may be small, but that doesn’t give you the license to bully us,” states Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu without mentioning any specific country.#Maldives #Lakshadweep #controversy #tourism pic.twitter.com/4GiMksFfDl
— Jist (@jist_news) January 13, 2024
After returning from China home, he gave some diplomatic statements- 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,” he told the media on his arrival from China after concluding the state visit, the first after assuming office in November last year.
Palki Sharma is the best reporter in Indian Media. She is always savage and bang on her reporting 👏
Say NO to Maldives #Maldives #maldivesboycott #Maldives #LakshadweepIsland#LakshadweepTourism#Lakshdweeppic.twitter.com/IsregUxK62
— Tannu Karn (@karntannu_) January 9, 2024
“This ocean does not belong to a specific country. This (Indian) Ocean also belongs to all countries situated in it,” he said, in an apparent jibe at India.
“We aren’t in anyone’s backyard. We are an independent and sovereign state,” he was quoted as saying by the Maldives Sun Online portal.
Maldives President Mohamad Muizzu – got support from China
After his 5 days visit to China, Muizzu is quite confident and continuously talking about the support he got from the country, many deals and agreements are signed by both countries. This will provide a strong political guarantee for the future cooperation between the two countries.
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, without referring to any country.
In his media briefing in Male, Muizzu said China has granted USD 130 million in assistance for his country. Muizzu said 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. 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.
Also, China’s Ambassador to Maldives Wang Lixin said Maldives will receive support for more development projects from Beijing if they align with President Xi’s initiatives.
All about Maldives
The Maldives is a tropical paradise located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. It is an archipelago consisting of 26 atolls, which are made up of over 1,000 coral islands. The capital and largest city of the Maldives is Malé.
The Maldives is known for its stunning coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It is the lowest-lying country in the world, with an average ground level of just 1.5 meters (4 feet) above sea level.
The Maldives is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its luxurious overwater bungalows, vibrant marine life, and world-class diving and snorkeling opportunities. Tourism plays a crucial role in the country’s economy.
Fishing and tourism are the mainstays of the Maldivian economy. The country is known for its tuna fishing industry, and tourism contributes significantly to the GDP. In recent years, efforts have been made to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on these sectors.
The Maldives is a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The President is both the head of state and government. The country has undergone political changes in recent years, with transitions in leadership and efforts to strengthen democratic institutions.