Maldives Has Buried Policy of Acting as Another Nation’s Puppet, Says President Muizzu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has declared that the policy of acting as a “puppet” to any foreign nation has been steadily buried and firmly put to rest over the past three years.

Speaking on the sixth episode of the “Nation Chat” podcast series, President Muizzu outlined a foreign policy centered strictly on national benefit, drawing a parallel to the diplomatic approach maintained during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s tenure, which he commended.

“Before this administration, we witnessed a foreign policy carried out in a way that endangered the Maldives,” President Muizzu said, criticising preceding administrations for operating under heavy foreign control. “Acting as a puppet for a specific country is not something the Maldivian people will ever accept. We have steadily buried and finished off that policy over the past three years.”

The President stressed that the Maldives must prioritise close relations with Islamic and Arab nations. He maintained that the government’s guiding principle is to safeguard public welfare while avoiding involvement in disputes between other sovereign states.

Addressing national security and sovereignty, President Muizzu reiterated that no foreign military personnel remain stationed within the archipelago. He stressed that genuine independence is unattainable unless the nation can independently police its vast maritime territory, noting that his administration has worked toward that goal since its first day in office.

“If we cannot look after our own vast maritime territory ourselves, true independence does not exist,” President Muizzu said. “From day one, this is the freedom we have been working to secure.”

The President also reflected on his recent official visit to Pakistan, highlighting that discussions yielded agreements expected to deliver mutual economic and social dividends. He noted that practical work to connect the Maldives and Pakistan via direct maritime and air routes will soon commence, with both nations prioritising the immediate implementation of signed memorandums of understanding.