Reports of Indian military base is aimed at discrediting the government: FM

Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has refuted media reports alleging that the government is planning to allow the establishment of an Indian military base in Maldives in exchange for financial assistance or other material benefits.

In a pair of tweets on Thursday night, Minister Shahid said that the media reports are baseless and aimed at discrediting the government as it is starting to build good relations with its neighbours.

In the tweets, he assured that the government will always act in Maldives’ national interest and will not undertake any international engagement that will compromise the sovereignty and independence of the country.

Japanese news website Nikkei Asian Review cited an unnamed Indian government source saying that India is considering providing up to USD 1 billion in loans to Maldives, but only if the island nation agrees to distance itself from China.

The articles states that “India is in talks with the Maldives, offering low-interest loans over several installments in exchange for stronger security ties, including the permanent deployment of Indian military personnel in the island nation, according to the sources.”

It also states that the loan is to help Maldives repay its debt to China and that both countries are expected to finalize the details before President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s visit to India in December.