Maldives President Seeks Debt Relief From India After Pursuing Hardline Stance Since Assuming Office

In an interview with local media, Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu acknowledged India's significant role in providing aid to the Maldives and said India has implemented the "greatest number" of projects. He urged New Delhi to consider providing debt relief to the archipelago nation, which owed approximately USD 400.9 million to India by the end of last year.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. (File)(HT_PRINT)

Stressing the enduring bond between the Maldives and India, President Muizzu said that India would continue to be the Maldives' closest ally, Maldives news portal Edition.mv said in a report that carried excerpts of Muizzu’s interview to its Dhivehi language sister-publication ‘Mihaaru.’

During an interview, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu urged India to consider debt relief measures for the Maldives due to the burden of significant loans taken over multiple governments.