Male: A former Maldives president jailed on corruption charges has returned to politics with a campaign against Indian influence in the country, worrying New Delhi, which is battling China for supremacy in its own back yard.
Abdulla Yameen wants to cancel defence deals signed with India, with which Maldives shares decades of close and friendly ties.
He alleges New Delhi has developed a major military presence in the archipelago off the coast of Sri Lanka – claims the ruling party denies.
But the growth of the campaign since a graft conviction against Yameen was overturned in November has drawn large crowds at rallies and galvanized his Progressive Party of Maldives, seen as being closer to Beijing.
“It not only endangers our national security but also impedes our progress and development,” Yameen told Reuters in a rare interview in the capital Male, referring to India’s military presence.
“It’s imperative that we get the Indian military out before the end of this year. We certainly don’t like to play second fiddle here in our own country.”
“I don’t want the Indian Ocean especially in our neighbourhood to be militarized. I like this area to be a demilitarized zone. We don’t like to see any foreign power here,” he said, adding it could encourage other nations like China and the United States to build up its presence in the region.
Defence minister Mariya Didi told Reuters India’s military presence in the country was limited to the operation and maintenance of three search-and-rescue and surveillance aircraft used by Maldives’ defence forces, as well as a medical team at a military hospital.
“There is no additional foreign military presence in Maldives,” she said.
Some of the deals with India Yameen is seeking to cancel were signed during his own time in power, she added.
A spokesperson for India’s foreign ministry declined to comment on Yameen’s claims. The ministry said last year that India “remains committed to deepening its traditionally friendly relationship with Maldives.” Reuters
