Nasheed says Maldives foreign policy should prioritise neighbours, with India first

Former President and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed has said the Maldives should prioritise neighbouring countries in its foreign policy, with India taking precedence, arguing that such an approach does not diminish the Maldives or undermine relations with other countries.

Nasheed made the remarks on Wednesday night while speaking at the opening ceremony of the MDP congress, where he criticised the government’s economic and foreign policies. The MDP is holding its congress from 1 to 3 October.

Nasheed, who returned to the MDP leadership after winning the party’s chairperson election in June, said the Maldives was facing economic difficulties at a time of wider international uncertainty.

He said the country was facing a shortage of US dollars because debt was being repaid without generating additional revenue. He also said global conditions were being shaped by conflicts and that the government should therefore give greater consideration to the security and safety of Maldivians.

Nasheed accused the government of failing to understand changes taking place internationally and criticised what he described as inconsistencies in its engagement with other countries.

“One day they go to Türkiye and procure drones. On the same trip, they visit Saudi Arabia. Another day they go to Iran and talk about the UAE, and the next day they go to the UAE and talk about money,” Nasheed said. “The leaders of this government do not understand how things are developing in the world.”

Nasheed said the MDP’s approach to foreign policy was based on the Maldives’ geographical position and the need to prioritise neighbouring countries at a time when the world faces the risk of conflict.

Within that framework, he said India should be given priority.

“Giving India priority in that order does not, under any circumstances, mean belittling Maldivians,” Nasheed said. “Nor does it mean speaking ill of our other friendly countries.”

Nasheed said this approach was not new and had been followed by successive Maldivian governments. His position is also consistent with his previous statements on relations with India. During his presidency, Nasheed described India as the Maldives’ “most important strategic partner”, while an earlier MDP foreign policy speech also called for strengthening relations with neighbouring countries.

The MDP government led by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih from 2018 to 2023 faced criticism from the then opposition over its close relationship with India. Opposition parties at the time argued that the government's policies towards India compromised Maldivian sovereignty and independence.

The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) coalition also campaigned under the “India Out” banner, opposing the presence of Indian military personnel in the Maldives and the Solih administration’s relationship with New Delhi.

Nasheed defended the MDP’s approach to India during Wednesday night’s address, arguing that the country’s geography should remain a central consideration in foreign policy.

Relations between India and the Maldives deteriorated during the early months of the current administration following remarks by some deputy ministers and disagreements over the presence of Indian military personnel. The two governments subsequently held talks aimed at improving bilateral relations.

Nasheed’s comments came as the MDP began its three-day national congress in Malé. The congress, which runs until Friday, is expected to consider changes to the party’s constitution and other internal reforms.