Amid India-Maldives tense relations, president Mohamed Muizzu denied having an 'India Out' agenda. Muizzu stressed that New Delhi was asked to withdraw its military personnel as the nation wanted to avoid the 'problem' with the presence of foreign military on its soil.
Muizzu made his remarks at Princeton University's Dean's Leadership Series in the United States. Maldives president is currently in the US to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
"We have never been against any one country at any point. It's not India Out. Maldives faced a serious problem with foreign military presence on this soil," Muizzu was quoted by Maldivian news portal adhadhu.com.
People of Maldives do not want a single foreign soldier in the country, Muizzu added.
Also, reportedly, Muizzu is likely to travel to India in October in an attempt to reset bilateral ties after tensions in the relations.
Muizzu had visited India on June 9 during Modi's swearing-in ceremony. He is likely to hold bilateral talks with Modi.
This will be Muizzu's first bilateral trip to India since he became president in November 2023 on the back of an 'India Out' campaign.
While speaking at the event, Muizzu also said that his government had taken action against deputy ministers for insulting PM Modi on social media.
"No one should say such a thing. I took action against it. I will not accept insulting anyone like that, whether he is a leader or an ordinary person. Every human being has a reputation," he said.
Deputy ministers in Maldives' youth ministry were suspended for derogatory social media posts against PM Modi after his Lakshadweep visit.
