Maldives parliament may reconsider agreements signed with New Delhi by previous leadership, despite efforts at rapprochement
The parliament of Maldives will review three agreements that a former leader, Ibrahim Solih, signed with India, a local parliamentarian announced on Monday. Notably, the news came just as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who took office in 2023, was in the Indian capital discussing expansion of “close and historic” ties between the two nations.
Muizzu, seen as pro-China by New Delhi, was among several other leaders who were invited to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 71 ministers of the newly formed coalition government on Sunday.
Following the ceremony, the Maldivian President met with Modi and held separate talks with India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyan Jaishankar.
Back in his home island about 470 miles southeast of India, the National Security Services Committee of the parliament has decided to conduct an inquiry to investigate actions undertaken by President Solih’s (2018 to 2023) administration, MP Ahmed Azaan stated on X. According to lawmaker, the agreements “undermined the sovereignty and independence of the Maldives.”
President H.E. Dr @MMuizzu attends the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister H.E. @narendramodi and Council of Ministers of the Government of India. The event took place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening. pic.twitter.com/spDXlQaGh5
— The President's Office (@presidencymv) June 9, 2024