Former Maldivian President, Abdullah Yameen, is back from prison, and set to fight the next Maldives Presidential elections on the “India Out” campaign.
President Abdullah Yameen, a former Maldivian leader who was imprisoned on corruption charges, will run for office in the next presidential election in the country. Yameen will contest elections on the primary agenda of the battle against “Indian Influence”.
Yameen has stated that if his party returns to power, he will revoke all the deals between India and the Maldives. He also claims that India has developed a military base in the archipelago off the coast of Sri Lanka. However, the claims are denied by the ruling party.
Abdullah Yameen, on the other hand, is making strides in attracting large crowds at rallies. His party, the Progressive Party of Maldives, is supposed to have close ties with the Chinese Communist Party.
Threat to Maldives’ National Security
Abdullah Yameen said that the presence of the Indian military in our territory doesn’t just compromise our national security but can also hinder our progress and development as a nation. Yameen stated, “It is very important to push the Indian military out of Maldivian territory. We certainly don’t like to play second fiddle here in our own country. “
On the other hand, the Maldives’ Defence Minister, Maria Didi, has denied any presence of Indian military forces on the islands. She stated that “the Indian military presence in the country was limited to the operation and maintenance of three search-and-rescue and surveillance aircraft used by the Maldives Defence Forces.” And, an Indian medical team is also present at a military hospital. Furthermore, she said that some of the deals that Yameen wishes to cancel were signed during his tenure.
However, the Indian Foreign Ministry has refused to comment on this issue. But, according to India’s last statement, “India remains committed to deepening its traditionally friendly relations with the Maldives.”
India-China issue affects the relations with Maldives
It is alleged that Abdullah Yameen’s party has close ties with China. China and India are always at odds. India says that China has broken the Himalayan security line.
Indian Bollywood songs, films, and actors are extremely popular in the Maldives. Furthermore, the Maldives’ current ruling government pursues an “India-first” foreign policy. But, during Yameen’s 5-year term, China made a significant intervention in Maldivian politics. Abdullah Yameen is now totally against the “India-first” foreign policy and clearly seems to be gaining huge popularity in the Maldives.
Abdullah Yameen is the half-brother of Dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Abdullah Yameen faced serious challenges in managing his chaotic government during his last term in power. Yameen was able to get rid of the country’s first democratically elected government in 2012 and win the next election a year later.
After being elected as the President, he made several deals with China to develop the Maldives’ infrastructure. China financed the construction of the bridge that connects Male to the international airport as well as other important places. The United States sees this investment as a debt trap against smaller countries. On this, Yameen said, “Let’s be frank with this. The European Union or the US don’t hand out parcels of money for development. Only China does. “
Charges on Yameen
In 2018, Abdullah Yameen lost his power. In 2019, he was summoned to a fine of $5 million and five years in jail for illegal money transfers of $1 million in state funds. It was alleged that he obtained the funds by renting out the rights to construct a tourism resort.
After completing a year in jail, he was sent on house arrest in 2020. Later, after months, he was liberated from arrest due to irregularities in that case. However, the prosecutors aim to convict him on serious charges this summer. Furthermore, Yameen declines these charges by saying, “Those are all trumped-up charges.”
Published by: Shivani Bhalke
Edited by: Subbuthai padma
