Maldives, which became independent in 1965, has considered India as its helpful and most reliable neighbor since the beginning, but this is the second time that an anti-India government has been formed there.
The first pro-China government lasted from 2013 to 2018, led by President Abdullah Yameen and now President Mohammad Muizzu.
Barring these two matters, relations between India and Maldives have been very close. India has always been helping the island Muslim country Maldives. Maldives is also a partner country along with India in the seven-member SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).
The 17th SAARC Summit was held in November 2011 on the beautiful island of Addu Atoll in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. The then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had participated in it. On the sidelines of this conference, he also addressed the ‘People’s Majlis’, the 77-member parliament of Maldives.
In his speech, Singh had said that India and Maldives have been traditional friends and India will continue to support Maldives on trade and economic development issues. He also reiterated the promise of cooperation with Maldives on terrorism, drug trafficking and regional strengthening in the Indian Ocean.
In fact, the Constitution of Maldives was rewritten in 2008. After this, for the first time in 2009, elections were held under the multi-party system and ‘People’s Majlis’ came into existence there.
Manmohan Singh was the first foreign head of state to address the Majlis. At that time there were 77 members in the Parliament of Maldives, including five women MPs.
Then Mohammed Nasheed was the President of Maldives. His sister Eva Abdullah was the MP from Willimafannu seat in Central Male. He then addressed Manmohan Singh and called him ‘elder brother’. Eva had then said, “We have a long-standing relationship with India. “Maldives have always viewed India as a favorite elder brother.”
After his historic 25-minute address, when Dr. Manmohan Singh stood in the middle of the Majlis, and one by one all the Maldivian MPs started shaking hands with him and started talking, then Eva Abdullah also met Manmohan Singh and Warmly welcomed him in Hindi. Media reports said that Eva had then said, “It is very nice to meet you.”
When Manmohan Singh also answered this in Hindi, Eva could not understand anything. After this Eva said in English, Sir, I did not understand what you said? I learned just one line of Hindi for your respect. After this both the leaders started laughing and other MPs in the House also started laughing.
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