Abdulla Shahid, the veteran Maldivian diplomat and newly appointed leader of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has reaffirmed the importance of Male's strong ties with New Delhi, stating that "disrupting relations with India is not feasible" despite any shifts in foreign policy by the current government.
Speaking in an interview with Sun Online, the 61-year-old former president of the UN General Assembly emphasized the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and strategic connections between India and the Maldives. He underscored India's crucial role in assisting the Maldives during critical moments, such as the foreign military intervention in 1988 and humanitarian crises like the 2004 tsunami and water shortage in Male.
Shahid, who previously served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2023, highlighted India's significant economic growth and stressed the importance of leveraging opportunities for mutual benefit between the Maldives and India.
Addressing speculations that his appointment as the opposition leader was influenced by India, Shahid dismissed such claims, asserting that his capabilities stand independent of external support. He criticized the government's attempts to undermine his achievements by attributing them to foreign influence, emphasizing the need for a more constructive narrative.
Given the Maldives' strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region and its close proximity to India, Shahid acknowledged the country's pivotal role in India's regional initiatives such as 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.
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