President Dr. Muizzu says era of Maldives being a ‘Puppet’ to any nation is over

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said the Maldives has moved away from dependence on any single foreign power, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to an independent and non-aligned foreign policy.

Speaking on PSM’s “Nation Chat” podcast tonight, the President said his government had gradually dismantled what he described as a policy of excessive reliance on individual countries.

Addressing concerns about the geopolitical vulnerabilities associated with foreign dependence, President Dr. Muizzu praised the approach taken during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration, describing its foreign policy as balanced and guided by national interests.

He argued that successive administrations since 2008 had moved towards dependence on particular countries.

His administration, he said, was seeking to restore an approach that would allow the Maldives to maintain balanced international relationships while securing the greatest benefits for its citizens.

The President also stressed the importance of cultivating particularly close ties with Islamic nations.

Discussing his recent visit to Pakistan, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years President said the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and identifying opportunities that would benefit the Maldivian people.

He clarified, however, that closer ties with Pakistan would not mean involving the Maldives in disputes between Pakistan and other countries.

President Muizzu said the same principle would guide the Maldives’ engagement with all international partners, with cooperation pursued on a bilateral basis and without taking part in their wider conflicts.