The main-opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has welcomed the incumbent administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s switch up on its policy towards neighboring India, from ‘India Out!’ to ‘Welcome India!’.

MDP said this in a statement issued after the party’s president and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid’s meeting with Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as part of the latter’s ongoing official visit at the invitation of Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer.

Stressing that the party regrets that the incumbent administration had in the past attempted to spread hatred against India among the Maldivian community in multiple ways, MDP noted that the portrayal of India, a long-term ally and development partner of Maldives through words of mockery and abuse, has had a negative impact on the island nation’s economy and affected its position amongst the international community.

MDP has warmly welcomed the incumbent administration’s shift from 'India Out' to 'Welcome India'.

The former ruling party went on to express hopes that this change will be sustained and not a temporary façade the government is putting on to trick the public.

MDP revealed that the party remains hopeful that this shift will be meaningful and is in the interest of the Maldivian people.

Further, MDP has also urged the incumbent administration to apologize to the people for the lies and propaganda spread as part of the ‘India Out!’ campaign, as well as for the immense damage it has caused in its wake.

As part of Shahid’s meeting with Jaishankar, he expressed gratitude to the Indian EAM for conducting the visit.

He went on to express gratitude to the government of India for the continued support and assistance extended to the government of Maldives, at times of need.

MDP has also welcomed Jaishankar’s visit to southernmost Addu City, as part of his brief visit, where he will observe the completion of the shore protection and land reclamation project in the city, as well as the inauguration of the four-lane detour link road around Hankede, connecting Hithadhoo and Maradhoo districts.

Shedding light on the importance of the project, MDP noted that it was an initiative of the MDP government and that both projects were funded under the Exim Bank Line of Credit Facility.

Shedding light on the significant assistance India has provided to the Maldivian government over the past five years, MDP noted some of the projects that made a major positive impact on the lives of Maldivian citizens, including the Greater Malé Area connectivity project, the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement in Addu City, the new Coast Guard building, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) port and dockyard in Uthuru Thilafalhu, the road development project in Addu City, the water and sewerage projects across 36 islands, the expansion of the Felivaru Fisheries Complexes, the Hanimaadhoo and Addu Airports initiatives and the IGMH project.

MDP also highlighted that India has made immense contributions to the Maldives, in its battle against the Covid-19 pandemic as well as efforts in its economic recovery.