“Did Not Show Muscle,” the former president of the Maldives apologized to India during a diplomatic standoff

While in India, former president of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed apologized on behalf of the Maldivians and voiced worry over the response to India’s recent demand for a boycott of his country.

Drawing attention to the boycott demand from India, which might have a negative influence on tourism—a vital sector of the Maldivian economy—Nasheed expressed his sincere concern and desire for Indian tourists to have vacations there.

It has had a significant effect on the Maldives, and I’m concerned about this. The people of the Maldives would want to express their regret for this incident. We want Indian tourists to visit the Maldives for their vacations, and we won’t alter our hospitality,” Nasheed was cited by ANI as adding.

Given his alleged pro-China position, President Mohamed Muizzu’s intention to remove all Indian military forces from the Maldives by March 10 has strained diplomatic ties between the two countries.

India then called for a boycott, which had a negative effect on the Maldives economy in several areas, most notably tourism.

In addition, Nasheed praised India’s historically responsible attitude toward handling these situations and said that the nation has suggested a diplomatic conversation in place of using force, demonstrating its dedication to resolving conflicts via communication.

You know what India did when the Maldivian president requested that Indian military soldiers leave? Their arms were not twisted. They basically said, ‘Okay, let’s talk about it,’ to the Maldivian administration without showing any force,” Nasheed said.

Interestingly, the previous president of the Maldives said that the recent defense deal between the Maldives and China is more closely seen as an equipment purchase than as a defense accord.

In addition, Nasheed questioned the legitimacy of the present Maldivian administration and voiced his dissatisfaction with the use of rubber bullets and tear gas by the authorities against demonstrators.

However, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has acknowledged that miscommunications between countries sometimes occur and voiced confidence about a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

The Indian minister had before said, “We have to make people understand. Sometimes people don’t even have complete knowledge of things. Sometimes people get misguided by what others say.”