President: Flexibility in foreign policy isn’t a weakness, but a strength

Flexibility in Maldives’ approach to foreign relations is not a weakness, but a sign of responsible leadership, says Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Elected to office on a pledge to expel Indian troops from the Maldives, relations between Male’ and New Delhi had been strained in the early days of President Muizzu’s presidency, with him often labelled as ‘pro-China’.

Things escalated further three months into office when three deputy ministers made disparaging remarks regarding India and Indian Prime Minister Modi following a social media post promoting India’s Lakshadweep as an alternative tourist destination to the Maldives.

Speaking to reporters after concluding a state visit to China the same month, President Muizzu said that Maldives wasn’t any country’s backyard and that the country cannot be bullied just because its small – remarks that were widely believed to be directed at India.

But despite the earlier turmoil, officials from both Male’ and Delhi repeatedly expressed keenness to repairing relations, and engaged in several high-level visits, including two by President Muizzu himself.

In an interview to Ceylon Today, President Muizzu was asked to respond to critics who argue that his foreign policy swings based on political necessity, and accuse him of inconsistency or opportunism in his administration’s approach to three key allies – India, China and the United States.

President Muizzu said that his administration’s foreign policy is hinged not on political expediency, but on the national interests of the Maldivian people.

“That said, in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, and being a Small Island State with limited means, strategic flexibility consistent with those wider national interests is essential,” he said.

He said that flexibility in his administration’s approach to foreign relations isn’t a weakness, but a sign of a responsible leadership.

“Where it is necessary in the best interest of the people of any one country, flexibility in our approach to foreign relations is a sign of responsible leadership,” he said.

“It is a strength and not a weakness, to be able to adapt and overcome the challenges before us, and in addressing the political realities in other countries as well.”

President Muizzu said that all three countries - India, China, and the US - have been longstanding key development partners of the Maldives.

“Their generous support has lifted us up in numerous times of need, for which we will be ever appreciative,” he said.

President Muizzu said that Maldives’ foreign policy supports constructive engagements with a;; friendly nations.

“Our relations with India, China, and the US, alongside other development partners, are, in that vein, all equally grounded in mutual respect, aligned with our development priorities, focused on promoting regional stability, and at all times reflect the realities on the ground and our commitment to preserving our sovereignty hand in hand with advancing the welfare of the Maldivian people,” he said.

President Muizzu has always rejected the characterization that he is ‘pro-China’, saying that he is ‘pro-Maldives.’