Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture and Chair of the all-party talks, Dr. Mohamed Shainee has blamed former President Mohamed Nasheed of making the current political situation in Maldives, a sensitive issue. The strong relationship between Maldives and India has been proved by the fact that India did not respond to former President Nasheed's calls for foreign intervention, Fisheries Minister stated while addressing a press briefing held especially for international media.
Noting that India and Maldives remain good partners in developmental efforts, Minister Shainee said that media reports about these incidences often stray from what is reported by official channels. He said that Maldives is capable of solving internal matters and called on all countries to respect and trust that Maldives can solve this matter as well. Minister Shainee added that if the need for assistance arises, the neighbors will be the first countries that Maldives would approach.
Addressing the press conference, Minister of Legal Affairs at the president's Office Aishath Azima Shakoor stated that India is a time-tested partner of Maldives and Maldivian diplomats have been updating the Indian government about the situation in Maldives.
All the cabinet ministers present at the press conference reiterated the government's commitment to the 'India-first' policy, emphasizing that President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is the first Head of State to commit the 'India-first' policy to paper.