Malé, Maldives – Leaders of Maldives’ Opposition PPM/PNC coalition have met with the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar today, at the Indian High Commision in Malé.
A statement after the meeting by the opposition coalition – who have continued an “India Out” campaign for months and have called for all Indian Military personnel in Maldives to leave, revealed that they requested India’s assistance ensure peace in the Maldives and have asked India to help maintain local democracy.
The Opposition leaders discussed about the ‘falling’ democratic framework of the current government, highlighting unfair conditions in the upcoming Local Council Elections. Attending opposition members have urged India to advise the Maldivian government regarding this.
They also stated that political stability in the Maldives should be important to India, and advised that India must be closely observing actions by the current government.
Dr. S Jaishankar was also made aware of the supposed unjust jailing of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and the numerous violation of rights the former president is allegedly experiencing in prison.
The External Affairs Minister has said that India is a responsible neighboring country that works in the best interest of Maldivian citizens, and that holding discussions with competitive individuals of the opposition is a priority.
The Opposition PPM/PNC coalition’s acting leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey), attended today’s meeting along with PNC VP’s Mohamed Saeed, Mohamed Hussain Shareef and Adam Shareef Umar. PPM VP’s Ahmed Shiyam and Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon also attended the meeting, in addition to opposition coalitions special advisor former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and Advisor Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed.
Prior to this, the opposition coalition also met with the Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla during his visit to the Maldives in November of 2020. Former President, Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik along with Former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and other senior officials of both Peoples Congress of Maldives (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) attended the meeting, during which similar grievances were shared.
