India has always been the Maldives’ closest ally and trusted neighbor, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The government of Maldives on Wednesday, publicized a statement addressing the false information being circulated on social media platforms, using the “India Out!” slogan.
As such, the statement by the foreign ministry revealed that the false information alleging that bilateral cooperation between Maldives and India undermines the country’s sovereignty and national security, are misguided and unsubstantiated.
With this being said, the ministry reaffirmed that the long-standing ties between Maldives and international partners are based on principles of mutual respect and understanding that lines up with respective national and international law, and that the country’s interactions in the international sphere “does not” and “will not” dent the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the island nation.
On the contrary, these interactions are in fact designed to enhance the national interests and deliver for the people of the Maldives, according to the ministry.
With this being said, the ministry cited the government’s belief that false accusations regarding ties with one of Maldives’ key bilateral partners, “are misguided and unsubstantiated”.
The government firmly believes that these views are not the sentiments of the general public, but rather that of a small group of individuals with the objective of tarnishing the country’s long-standing cordial ties with India”Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Going on to shed light on the strong bilateral relationship between both countries to be based on shared historical and cultural ties, matched by dynamic people to people contact, the ministry revealed that India has always been closest to the Maldives with their generous and constant support on all fronts.
The ministry further revealed that the Indian government’s support and cooperation, particularly on the issues of maritime security, carry the purpose of boosting the strategic partnership shared with Maldives, as well as to ensure the safety and stability of the Indian Ocean region.
With this being said, the ministry asserted that Maldivian communities directly benefit from the support provided by India on areas such as search and rescue capabilities, casualty evacuation, coastal surveillance, and maritime reconnaissance.
Maldives also has partnerships with other countries in similar areas of cooperation, with an aim to boost technical and strategic capacities.
Addressing the ever-growing threats of trans-boarder terrorism, piracy, narco-trafficking as well as non-traditional security threats such as climate change, cyber security and human trafficking, requires the support and cooperation of all regional and international partners. No one country alone can address these issues on its own”Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement goes on to urge all parties to act “responsibly” and to refrain from circulating unproven content that soils the country’s relations not only with its neighbors, but the international community as well.
In this context, media outlets have also been pushed to fully commit themselves to professional standards of journalism in reporting such topics to the people.
India has one of the first-responders in times of crisis, for decades, some instances include the 1988 mercenary attack, the Indian-Ocean Tsunami of 2004, the capital city water crisis of 2015 as well as the countless support during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The government revealed that India, will “always remain a true and a trusted friend of the people of the Maldives.”
