Closer military ties with Pakistan could raise India's concerns, Nasheed warns
The defence agreement was among MoUs covering 20 areas of cooperation signed between the two countries on Wednesday.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed has criticised President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's decision to expand defence cooperation with Pakistan, warning that closer military ties could undermine the Maldives' security and increase concerns in neighbouring India.
Nasheed, who chairs the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), made the remarks in a post on X on Friday, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation between the Maldives and Pakistan during President Muizzu's official visit to Islamabad.
The defence agreement was among MoUs covering 20 areas of cooperation signed between the two countries on Wednesday.
During the visit, President Muizzu also met Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
In his post, Nasheed said the Maldives should avoid becoming involved in disputes between rival countries, referring to the longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan.
"The Maldives must not get drawn into disputes between rival countries," Nasheed said.
"Expanding military ties with Pakistan will increase India's concerns. It will put the Maldives at risk."
Nasheed accused President Muizzu of pursuing policies that were weakening the Maldives' national security.
His criticism comes as the government seeks to strengthen relations with Pakistan across several sectors, including defence, trade, healthcare and investment.
During President Muizzu's visit, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also raised the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir, a territory claimed by both India and Pakistan.
In a joint statement issued following official talks, Sharif said he had briefed President Muizzu on Pakistan's position regarding the territory.
"I briefed my dear brother, President Muizzu, on Pakistan's principled position regarding Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir," Sharif said.
President Muizzu did not publicly respond to Sharif's remarks on Kashmir, either during the official discussions or in the joint statement.
On regional cooperation, the Maldivian President said the Maldives was prepared to work with all countries in the region to facilitate the next meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Nasheed, who has maintained close relations with India, has previously advocated for strong ties between the Maldives and its regional neighbours.
His latest remarks follow the government's decision to expand military cooperation with Pakistan at a time when relations between India and Pakistan remain strained.
President Muizzu concluded his official visit to Pakistan on Friday. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Sharif, marked the first official visit to Pakistan by a Maldivian president in 11 years.
