Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has assured the opportunity will not be given to any foreign country to establish a military base in Maldives. The foreign minister made the assurance in the wake of media reports revealing India have agreed to offer USD 1 billion in low-interest loans to help Maldives repay its debt to China in exchange for a permanent military presence.
Responding to media reports, Foreign Minister Shahid said Maldives will not jeopardise its independence and sovereignty to attain foreign aid. Furthermore, Minister Shahid assured no agreement to establish a foreign military base has been signed or will be agreed in the future, reiterating the opportunity will not be given by the government to conduct any such operations.
Currently, the foreign minister is in UAE on an official trip upon conclusion of his maiden official trip to India. Meanwhile, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is scheduled to visit India on December 17.