India Vs Maldives: President Muizzu Says No Nation Has License To Bully Maldives

After a huge political row between India and Maldives, President of Maldives Mohammed Muizzu on Saturday asserted that no nation should have the authority to bully his island nation. The row between India and Maldives was triggered after three of Maldives' ministers passed derogatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent trip to Lakshadweep.

"We may be small, but that doesn't give you the license to bully us," Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu said during a press conference.

On January 7, the Maldives government expelled its three ministers after India raised objections over their remarks against PM Modi. The next day, the Maldivian envoy was also summoned by the External Affairs Ministry.

Remarks against Prime Minister Modi were not accepted by Indians worldwide as they canceled their vacations to the island nation, resulting in a major hit to Maldives' economy.

Later, India's biggest rival country, China, stepped in the scene and promised support to Maldives. President Muizzu, who was on a five-day visit to China, appealed to the country to send more tourists to help deteriorating tourism after Indians backed off.

"China was our (Maldives') number one market pre-Covid, and it is my request that we intensify efforts for China to regain this position," according to the reports.

Last year in October, the Maldivian President secured victory in the elections through a campaign centered around an India Out initiative, during which he promised the withdrawal of Indian troops from the archipelago.