Former Foreign Minister Calls for Stable Relations with India Amid Politicization Concerns

MALE’, Maldives — Dunya Maumoon, a former Foreign Minister of the country, has voiced her concerns about the politicization of the country’s diplomatic ties with India. Reflecting on her time in office, Dunya spoke fondly of her visits to India, describing them as “wonderful memories,” and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong and consistent relations between the two nations.

In recent discussions, Maldivian leaders, including President Mohamed Muizzu and the current foreign minister, have engaged with Indian officials on critical issues such as debt relief, credit facilities, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) arrangements. Dunya highlighted the significant role India has played in supporting the Maldives but criticized past governments and present politics for their “wasteful” management of these international relations.

“I think it’s unfortunate that the past governments and the current politics in our country have been very wasteful,” Dunya said. She expressed her hope that the current administration would rectify past missteps and steer the Maldives toward a path of independence and self-reliance.

“It is still my hope that the current government of President Muizzu is going to correct these wrongs and ensure that Maldives once again becomes a properly independent country,” she added.

Dunya pointed to the FDI agreements made with China during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, lamenting the lack of continuity due to shifting political landscapes.

“Unfortunately, again, what I see is with changes in government and changes of our alliances with these countries, that there’s no continuity in some of these important arrangements,” she noted.

Stressing the need for stable international relations, Dunya warned against allowing these critical ties to be influenced by changing political dynamics. She emphasized that the Maldives’ relationships with India, China, and other countries should not be subject to the “whims of any government,” highlighting the importance of a consistent and principled approach in foreign policy.