President Muizzu declares end to Maldives' policy of favouring specific countries

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the Maldives' foreign policy, which had been skewed towards favouring a specific country, has come to an end and that the matter has now been settled. Responding to questions in PSM's National Chat podcast regarding allegations that all governments since 2008 had compromised geopolitical neutrality by leaning towards specific countries, President Muizzu said that during the administration of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, there was a very strong foreign policy. Highlighting that this approach involved proceeding with matters beneficial to the Maldives, the President said his own policy is also based on this principle. He noted that subsequent governments showed signs of favouring specific countries and remarked that the Maldives should remain neutral, not aligning with any particular side, to ensure benefits for its citizens. He further emphasised that it is necessary to maintain close relations with Islamic countries. "It is not acceptable for the Maldives to exist as a 'pet' of a specific country. This is not something the people of the Maldives would accept either. Over the past three years, this policy has gradually been paused and put to an end, and it currently stands that way. There will be no return to this in this country; the people will not permit it," the President said. Regarding his recent visit to Pakistan, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years, President Muizzu said the focus was on identifying ways to benefit citizens, considering solely the relationship between the Maldives and Pakistan. He added that the Maldives would not get involved in disputes between Pakistan and other countries, and asserted that even in friendly relations with other countries, the Maldives would not enter into their respective disputes.