President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has appealed not to antagonise India as it is one of the closest friend and ally of the Maldives.
During his speech at Velidhoo Island of Noonu Atoll, President Yameen urged to not engage in creating negativity towards India. Criticising that a handful of the opposition, local and international media are trying to create rift between Maldives and India, the President advised to abstain from such acts. President Yameen affirmed that it would bring several opportunities to the country, highlighting the recent free trade agreement between the Maldives and China. He underlined that the agreement will have no impact on diplomatic or political relations with any other country.
On this context, the President added that the government is currently working towards establishing a free trade agreement with India. President Yameen reiterated that his Administration would never entertain negative sentiments towards India, highlighting that Indian assistance formed an invaluable contribution to the Maldives.
The President expressed that Maldives and India have very close and long standing relations and noted that a number of Maldivian students study in India, with many Maldivians travelling to India for medical treatment, while a lot of Indian citizens work in Maldives.
President Yameen has made several visits to India since he took office in 2013. In this regard, the President visited India with a high level delegation on a state visit from in January 2014, which was his first official visit abroad. He also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2014. In 2016, President Yameen visited New-Delhi on a two-day visit.
As close and friendly neighbours, India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity and enjoy cordial and multidimensional relations. India was among the first to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country. India established its mission in Male' in 1972.