Former Home Minister Imran Accused of Hypocrisy Over Rasmale Criticism and UTF Silence

Former Home Minister Sheikh Imran Abdullah has come under fire for his vocal opposition to the Rasmale development project, with critics pointing out that he remained silent when the previous government signed the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) agreement with India. Imran, who served as Home Minister under the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government, has been a leading voice against the Rasmale project, warning on social media that if the project proceeds as planned, future generations could lose the country's sovereignty. He is also leading the 'Dhivehinee binu Dhivehinee' movement against the project. However, the UTF agreement, signed in February 2021 under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, involved the development of a port and dockyard at Uthuru Thila Falhu by India's Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, a state-owned company. The agreement, valued at approximately 186.3 million US dollars, drew public concern over Indian military presence in the Maldives. Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon said on 11 May 2024 that documents showed Indian troops were stationed at UTF during the previous government, but under the current government, no Indian military personnel remain. An anonymous MDP member, speaking in support of Rasmale, defended the project, stating, "The UTF agreement was a military infrastructure deal between two governments, with allegations that India was using it to extend influence in the Indian Ocean. In contrast, Rasmale is a commercial development project involving a foreign private company." The anonymous MP further accused Imran of using the Rasmale issue for political gain while failing to voice any concerns about the UTF agreement when he was in government. "When the UTF agreement was signed, Imran was in the government and appeared to support it, or at least did not express any personal concerns. Now, with Rasmale still in the consultation stage, he is clearly using it for political objectives," the MP said. The government has maintained that Rasmale will proceed within the legal framework and in a manner that protects national sovereignty. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has highlighted the potential economic benefits of the project.