Nasheed denies India’s role in Maldives president impeachment
Nasheed asserted that he had read the report but was unaware of any conspiracy against the President.
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed on Monday strongly rejected reports alleging Indian involvement in a plot to overthrow the government of President Mohamed Muizzu.
The statement comes in response to a report published by The Washington Post, which cited a document from the Indian intelligence agency, RAW, that suggested India had been working with the Maldivian opposition to destabilise the government.
Nasheed took to social media to express his disbelief over the claims. In a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Nasheed asserted that he had read the report but was unaware of any conspiracy against the president. He emphasised that India, a key regional partner for the Maldives, would never support the ousting of a democratically elected leader.
"India would never back such a move, as they always support Maldives’ democracy. India has never dictated terms to us, either," Nasheed wrote.
The Washington Post report, titled 'A Plot in Paradise and India's Struggle for Influence in Asia,' refers to a document by the Indian intelligence agency. According to the report, the document, known as the 'Democratic Renewal Initiative,' claimed that the opposition had sought MVR 87 million (approximately $6 million) from India to bribe 40 members of parliament, 10 senior security officials, and three powerful gangs in an effort to destabilise President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.
However, the report clarifies that despite these secretive discussions, the attempt to overthrow the government failed to make significant progress. Furthermore, the document suggests that India did not expend any resources on this endeavour.
The Washington Post article indicates that it remains unclear whether the Indian government was involved in or aware of these alleged efforts to undermine the Maldivian government.
This incident has added fuel to the ongoing debate over India’s role in the Maldives' domestic politics. India has historically been a strong ally of the Maldives, particularly in terms of security, economic assistance, and diplomatic relations. However, tensions have occasionally risen, especially as political leadership in the Maldives has shifted between pro-India and more China-leaning factions in recent years.
