Expanding military ties with Pakistan a danger to Maldives: Nasheed

Former President and opposition MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed has expressed concern over the Maldives' expanding military ties with Pakistan, warning that the move could put the country in danger. In a social media post, Nasheed said the country's safety and security were being undermined by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's policies, and that the Maldives must not be drawn into disputes between rival nations. He said expanding military cooperation with Pakistan would increase India's concerns and would be dangerous for the Maldives. Nasheed's remarks follow President Muizzu's official visit to Pakistan, during which an MoU was signed to strengthen military ties between the two countries. The visit was the first official trip by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 10 years, since former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's visit in May 2015, and coincided with 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Pakistan. During the visit, the two countries signed 20 MoUs covering 20 areas and agreed to increase bilateral trade from $13 million to $200 million. Nasheed noted that India has historically been the Maldives' closest longstanding major partner and among the first countries to provide large-scale assistance to the Maldives.