India is not crazy' to coerce Maldives: Prez Waheed
"India is not crazy", said Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed, affirming that it
would not do anything coercive with regard to internal matters of Maldives.
Waheed, in India on a first foreign visit after assuming charge in February in a
tumultuous political transition, has
also sought India's help in financial and social areas with his country facing a
huge budget deficit of nearly USD 500 million.
Barely weeks after the visit of political rival and predecessor Nasheed who came
to drum up support for his call
for early presidential polls in the Maldives, Waheed, in an interview to PTI,
said "India is not crazy. Somebody making demands just because he is popular is
not going to find response. India's response is calculated. It is well informed
and therefore, there is nothing for me to be worried about."
He was asked about the remarks of his Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Duniya Maumoon that Maldives hoped that India will respect its sovereignty and
will not play a role in the internal politics of the country in the backdrop of
demand by Nasheed that India should "coerce" Male in early polls.
Waheed also rejected Nasheed's allegations that the entire power transition
episode was orchestrated by former
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, saying "he (Nasheed) has been making all kinds
of allegations, some outrageous also, even relating to India officials. I think,
he is out of his mind too frequently."
After his meetings with the leadership during which he briefed them on the
political situation in Maldives and
emphasised continued adherence to all agreements, Waheed said that all Indian
investments are "safe."
He also said that he has been reassured of continued support by India, including
"stand by credit line". Terming India as "most reliable" and "closest friend"
who has always helped Maldives in "good and in not so good times",
Waheed said his visit was primarily to
http://www.timesnow.tv/India-is-not-crazy-to-coerce-Maldives-Prez-Waheed/articleshow/4402099.cms