The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has criticised the foreign minister for providing false information while responding to questions put forward in the Majlis regarding the Maldives’ participation in China’s Maritime Silk Road initiative.
“The party severely condemns foreign minister Dunya Maumoon for intentionally providing false information about Maldives and its diplomatic relations with other countries,” read an MDP press statement released yesterday (November 8).
President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jingping has called on the Maldives “to get actively involved” in the creation of a maritime trade route linking China to the east coast of Africa and the Mediterranean.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has today released a statement seeking to clarify any confusion caused by these remarks, saying that Dunya had “noted her concern if her choice of words had led to any confusion”.
When asked about the potential impact of the scheme on India-Maldives relations, Dunya told the parliament last week that India had also discussed participating during the recent state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinpeng.
However, Indian Diplomats in Malé promptly refuted the claim, releasing a statement containing comments from the Indian External Affairs Ministry which denied such talks having taken place.
“[T]his matter was neither raised, nor discussed, nor is it reflected in any of the outcomes of the visit of President Xi Jinping to India,” the ministry official told Indian media on Thursday (November 6).
The Maldives foreign ministry today said that Dunya had mentioned various discussions having taken place between India and China “on a wide range of issues” as an example of the excellent relations between the two nations.
The MDP also noted that it was “shameful” that the Indian Government had to re-clarify the public after “lies” from the foreign minister, and warned the government that such actions will weaken Maldives’ relations with other countries.
Fears have been expressed by the opposition regarding the potential for the government’s willingness to participate in the scheme to damage relations with regional neighbours.
The party also called for the resignation of Dunya, stating that intentionally providing false information to the parliament was a crime under the Maldivian Constitution.
The Chinese president travelled to India after having visited the Maldives where numerous MoUs were signed between the two governments – most notably agreements promoting the Malé-Hulhulé bridge and the redevelopment of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA).
The new INIA agreement comes while previous developer, India’s GMR, waits to hear how much they are to receive in damages after a Singapore arbitration court ruled their prematurely terminated contract with the Government of Maldives to have been “valid and binding”.
As Chinese companies pledge assistance with major infrastructure projects, Indian companies continue to fall foul of the Maldives’ changing political currents.
Meanwhile, China’s rising economic presence in the Indian Ocean region has stoked concerns in New Delhi that China is creating a “string of pearls” encircling India, including Chinese investments in ports and other key projects in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
*This article was amended shortly after publication to include an additional statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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we will develop the airport and we have developed the airport and we can even now.
We don't need to corrupt GMR to do develop our airport and we have the capacity to do it.
You will see completely new airport by 2016 and GMR can go a home and have sent home.
Even with all the negative rhetoric, MDP rarely condems Gaymbino Family and members. Why this time.. One wonders.
A gaffe is a gaffe. There is no point in trying to cloak it and try to be clever. The foreign minister clearly made a fool of herself and the Indians have responded clearly on the matter.
There's also little point in trying to blame the opposition. Get on with the job!
Foreign minister told truth than India lies to hurt Maldives. India cannot be trust this is another proof.
its within the family. they lie about everything to anyone. they can do it. when they will be gone? the sad thing is that if the foreign minister can lie openly then how we want to show example to the children of his father who is the father of democracy?
The proposed Chinese silk route is to facilitate trade between Africa and China so I don't understand the excitement this is creating in Maldives which doesn't have the industrial capacity to manufacture a pencil. All you produce is tuna, tuna, tuna and more tuna.
I can think of only one possible trade opportunity between Maldives and China. You can export tuna to China and import condoms in XS sizes.
@MissIndia. No matter how much you hate Maldives, we will be better of than your lousy country.
MissIndia- Agarwal-the-Thug. Please call GMR or RAhul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and any other Nehru descendent. Thanks Mr. Modi for challenging and winning an election whose main theme was bringing down inherent corruption Nehru generations bred and continue to breed in India. MIssIndiaAgarwaltheThug leave us Maldivians in peace.
MissIndiaAgrawaltheThug. Have you exited? The new proceedure allows you to go scot-free.