Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has stated that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will get re-elected, as the people of the Maldives have accepted the good work done by the administration under his outstanding leadership. He made the remarks in an interview with The Print during his visit to India as the President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA).
In the interview, Minister Shahid said that the friendship between the Maldives and India is based on mutual trust and recognition, as well as the closeness between the two countries. He said the relationship has flourished during President Solih’s tenure since assuming office in 2018. He also said that the Maldives has a good relationship with all countries but has a special relationship with India due its close affinity, as India has been the first country to respond to any emergency situation in the Maldives. He added that India takes its concerns and emergencies into consideration.
Regarding the India Out campaign in the Maldives, Minister Shahid said it is being conducted by a group of people in the opposition which has no agenda except to create fervor against the country’s closest friend and neighbour. He said the opposition has no development agenda to offer to the people, and instead came up with the anti-India protests.
The cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, local council members, and members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) national congress have endorsed President Solih after he announced his intention to contest for a second term in the 2023 presidential election. President Solih said it is crucial that MDP remains in power in order to continue implementing the party’s development vision for the country. However, noting that no party is able to win a presidential election by itself, the president said MDP will look to lead a multi-party coalition to win the election next year.
