Former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has stated Maldives is now capable of paying foreign debt, following a successful economic agenda.
Speaking on ''Going Underground Programme" aired on "Russia Today," former President Mohamed Waheed answered questions on economic stability of Maldives and how it has advanced in the past 4 years. The former president expressed a time would not come of national distress due to the incapability of paying loans to China, slamming rumours that Maldives in impotent to pay foreign investors back. He lauded strong economic and foreign relations Maldives has achieved in the past few years.
Noting attaining loans is necessary to conduct socially beneficial projects in small nations such as Maldives, former President Waheed stated China is one such country that believes in the capacity of smaller nations. Regarding relations between China, India and Maldives, Dr. Waheed mentioned that Maldives is geographically located in the centre of some major powers of the world, underlining the importance of discussions to solve such issues.
The former president also revealed that loans from China were granted to Maldives during past presidencies such as when former President Mohamed Nasheed was in office. However, the opposition, now lead by former President Nasheed, has been critical with the close economic ties Maldives has with China.