World News
Get all the latest news from India's closest neighbors overseas before it gets cold.

US Viewpoint Not a Guarantor of a Safer World: Former Maldivian President

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed spoke to Sputnik India in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the 10th edition of Synergia Conclave in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Sputnik
India should work out an “arrangement” with the United States to reduce American interference in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in order to avoid incidents such as the recent sinking of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena last week, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed said.

“The United States with just their viewpoint and only their betterment doesn't necessarily bring a very safe world,” stated Nasheed.

He backed a “strong India” which would be the “main net security provider” in the Indian Ocean.

“But, of course, it will take time for India to challenge or to be able to create this security network or umbrella in the Indian Ocean if it is being challenged by the United States,” the ex-President said.
Nasheed stated that the US-Israel was with Iran had adversely impacted Maldives’ tourism-reliant economy by disrupting arrivals.

“When you have Dubai and the Middle-East travel hubs disrupted, the tourists who come to the Maldives then have a challenge. Now, we have about a thirty percent decline in tourist arrivals,” he explained.

Further, Nasheed said that costs, mainly fuel prices, have gone up due to the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, describing inflation as a major challenge for the Indian Ocean country.

Nasheed emphasised the importance of having adequate energy reserves for the Maldives and other countries in the Indian Ocean Region to navigate the global oil and LNG volatility.

“We also have a very big debt, and these repayments are due this year. When government revenue comes down, we stand on the brink of default,” said Nasheed.

Indo-Russian Relations
Premium Russian Urals Fuel India and Asia’s Energy Needs: Expert
Discuss