A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
Maldives’ foreign minister Dr Mohamed Asim (L) meets Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Maldives and China will not undermine the former’s ties with neighbouring India, declared foreign minister Dr Mohamed Asim late Sunday. The contentious free trade pact, which cemented the close relations incumbent president Abdulla Yameen has […]
Former President Mohamed Nasheed — Photo by: Sabra The actions of the present administration pose the Maldives to risk of war, says former President Mohamed Nasheed. In a tweet posted on Monday morning, penned in Dhivehi, the former President noted that the Parliament was hijacked and the Yameen administration was engaging in activities that harmed […]
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu along with his family is going to the Maldives on a personal visit. Mr Naidu’s wife Bhuvaneshwari, daughter-in-law Brahmani and grandson Devaansh were in Hyderabad on Sunday and the family was going to take a flight to the Maldives from Shamshabad airport when last reports came in. His son Nara […]
Former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim was transferred to house arrest last Thursday with the prisons authority citing repairs in his unit at the high-security Maafushi jail. The retired colonel has been shifted between jail and house arrest since early 2015 when he was found guilty of weapons smuggling and sentenced to 11 years. In January […]
Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer and Ambassador Mohamed Hussain Shareef have met with Sri Lankan opposition lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa. The son of the former Sri Lankan president tweeted a photo with the pair on Saturday. Both Zameer and Shareef are senior members of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives. The meeting comes after criticism of the […]
After upsetting news for the Indian foreign policy establishment from Sri Lanka (99-year-long lease of Hambantota port to China) and Nepal (China-leaning Left alliance poised to form government after winning elections), there is yet another blow to South Block (India’s power corridors) from its neighbour and SAARC member, Maldives. The Indian Ocean nation, comprising 1,192 […]
Politics overshadowed Fishermen’s Day celebrations Saturday on the island of Ihavandhoo in the northernmost atoll, putting the fisheries ministry at loggerheads with the opposition island council. Ahead of Fisheries Minister Dr Mohamed Shainee’s arrival for the 37th annual event, the opposition-controlled island council claimed it was ordered to take down ornamental arches deemed insulting towards […]
On the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Bhutan, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has conveyed greetings and good wishes, in separate messages, to the King of Bhutan, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Prime Minister of Bhutan, His Excellency Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay. In his message to the King, […]
Home Minister Azleen Ahmed speaks at press conference. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED/MIHAARU When local councillors meet with foreign diplomats, it could potentially damage Maldives’ relationship with other countries, Minister of Home Affairs Azleen Ahmed claimed on Saturday. Speaking at a programme aired on national television, Public Service Media (PSM), the home minister said that the new […]