Opposition gov't to maintain close ties with China while giving priority to neighbours
Solih said that his administration will always 'keep in mind that Maldives is a part of the Indian Ocean'
MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih says his administration will give 'priority to neighboring countries' when establishing a foreign policy.
The presidential hopeful said this in an exclusive interview to Fala Surukhee programmme on Saturday night, where he spoke on an opposition administration and its policies.
Solih said that his administration will always 'keep in mind that Maldives is a part of the Indian Ocean' when establishing a foreign policy, adding that priority will be given to neighboring countries.
However, despite immense criticism over President Abdulla Yameen's 'close' relations with China and Saudi Arabia, Solih said that they will not do anything to jeopardize these relations.
He said that China has been an immense contributor in the country's development, while Saudi Arabia has always been 'a close friend' of Maldives.
He emphasized that an opposition administration will not do anything that could harm ties with both these countries.
The current administration has been accused of tightening ties with China, while isolating India- a country that has been the Maldives' closest ally since 1966. There have been reports of islands being sold to China and Saudi Arabia.
