“India has always helped us,” said Mariya Ahmed Didi
Former Maldives Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi said on Monday that derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed the “short-sightedness” of the Maldivian government, adding that India has been a reliable ally in various areas, including defence , provided help and criticized any attempt to undermine the long-standing relationship.
She also expressed disappointment over the derogatory remarks and described India as a “911 helpline” for Maldives that always comes to their aid in times of need.
“It is the short-sightedness of the present government…We are a small country which is friends with everyone but we cannot deny that we share borders with India. We share similar security concerns. India has always helped us.” “They have even helped us in the defense sector in capacity building, providing us with equipment and trying to make us more self-sufficient,” said Mariya Ahmed Didi.
She said that Maldives and India are like-minded in their pursuit of democracy and respect for human rights. “It is very short-sighted on the part of the current government to really think that we can really try not to maintain the centuries-old relationship that we have always had with India…,” she said.
Last week, a massive row erupted when the Deputy Minister of Maldives along with other cabinet members and government officials made derogatory and unsavory references to Prime Minister Modi's Lakshadweep visit.
#REGARD | Male: In dispute over Maldivian MP's post against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Maldivian Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi says, “…India has been our emergency call, whenever we need it, we call and you all come to us.” Rescue. Such a friend. When you see… pic.twitter.com/9X64vqwWwg
– ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2024
Meanwhile, the former defense minister of Maldives said, “…India was our distress call. Whenever we need him, we call and you all come to our aid. Kind of friend. When you see such derogatory comments about friends.” So it’s sad for everyone involved.
She stressed the importance of maintaining centuries-old ties with India and expressed concerns about the negative impact of such statements on the friendship between the two nations.
The former Defense Minister of Maldives said that it is crucial to uphold our international commitments given our close friendship, neighboring status and participation in the global community.
She referred to the historic “India First” policy and hoped for its continuation. She recognized India as the nearest neighbor which has always provided support in times of need.
“I think as close friends, as neighbors, as part of the global community, we would honor our international commitments and the government of Maldives would maintain our traditional foreign policy of being friends with everyone. We have always had an India first policy, and I hope that they continue like this, that they realize that you are the nearest neighbor, that you will be the people who have always come and also in “We have always traveled to India for medical treatment too,” she added.
She urged to recognize the sentiments of the Maldivian people, citing cases of seeking medical treatment in India and receiving COVID-19 vaccines as part of Indian assistance.
“If we don’t have the ability to treat certain diseases in the Maldives. Even when we had Covid, we got the vaccines with Indian help too. We had so much cooperation between the two countries. We have worked with everyone.” “We have always been different and it is not possible for us to even think that we can replace our closest neighbor…” she said.
On January 2, Prime Minister Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and shared several pictures, including an “exhilarating experience” of him trying his hand at snorkeling.
In a series of posts to your list.”
In a now-deleted post, Maldives Deputy Youth Development Minister Shiuna made a mocking and disrespectful reference to Prime Minister Modi.
The Maldivian government on Sunday distanced itself from Minister Mariyam Shiuna's derogatory comments, saying her opinion did not reflect the government's views.
The government added that “appropriate action” will be taken against the minister, who is in a firestorm on social media over her post.
The government added that it believes freedom of expression should be exercised in a “democratic and responsible manner and in a manner that does not spread hate or negativity and hinder close relations between the Maldives and its international partners.”
On the presence of Indian troops in Maldives, the minister said, “It was never about Indian troops being here or anything like that. They were here to help us at the request of our government. Successive governments have asked for them to come and help us…It has helped us ensure the safety of our citizens and it is sad that we do not see it that way.”
She said the Maldives had never deployed Indian troops in the Maldives in the traditional sense.
“As part of defense cooperation, India has offered us technical assistance on a purely humanitarian basis to bring our people from the islands to Malé. The equipment given to the Maldives has always been there to help us and assist us in the humanitarian evacuation of our people. The helicopters that were there…they are completely under the command and control of the MNDF (Maldives National Defense Force). The MNDF tells them when and how to fly and what to do about it.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)