The statement by Muizzu, who is considered strongly pro-China, comes amid a row between India and the Maldives after Maldivian politicians made derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep.
The comments sparked a ‘Boycott Maldives’ trend online that has been backed by Bollywood actors, cricketers and other prominent figures.In his strongly-worded statement, Muizzu said the Indian Ocean does not belong to a specific country.
“Though we have small islands in this ocean, we have a vast exclusive economic zone of 9,00,000 square kilometers. Maldives is one of the countries with the biggest share of this ocean. This ocean does not belong to a specific country. This ocean also belongs to all countries situated in it,” he said.
Muizzu also responded to comments that the Maldives is situated in India’s backyard. “We aren’t in anyone’s backyard. We are an independent and sovereign state,” he said.
On the island nation’s ties with China, Muizzu said that “non-interference in internal affairs form the basis of Maldives-China relations”, adding that Beijing will not exert its influence in any of Maldives’ domestic affairs.
In an indirect jab at the former Maldivian administration’s pro-India policies, Muizzu said the former administration had sought permission from a foreign country “to get up from one chair and sit on another chair.”
“We may be small, but that doesn’t give you the license to bully us,” he said, before concluding his statement.
Notably, during his trip to China, Muizzu appealed to the country to “intensify” efforts to send more tourists to the island nation. “China was our (Maldives’) number one market pre-Covid, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position,” according to a readout posted on his official website.
Muizzu won the elections in October last year on the back of an ‘India Out’ campaign in which he pledged the removal of Indian troops from the archipelago.
(With inputs from agencies)
Watch Maldives’ Diplomatic Tango: Muizzu Courts China, Sparks Controversy with India
