the Maldives government on Saturday upgraded the security of the Indian high commission in Malé by handing over the perimeter to Maldivian defence forces.
Indian sources confirmed that Maldives had handed over the security of the diplomatic premises from the police to Maldives National Defence Forces. This is the first time that armed security personnel will be guarding the Indian diplomatic mission, since Maldivian police had been unarmed.
It is learnt that the Maldives government had increased the security on their own. There had been no request from the Indian side.
Sources stated that the Maldivian government had beefed up the security following a massive fire at a high rise building, half of whose floors are occupied by State Bank of India on Friday night. “We don’t know yet if it was an accident or sabotage. The police investigation is going on, but the government thought it prudent to increase security for Indian diplomatic assets,” a senior Indian official told The Wire.
In a statement, SBI Maldives, which is one of the biggest banks in the Indian ocean nation, stated that there was “substantial damage” in all the five floors that housed its offices. However, the bank announced that it would resume banking services on Sunday.
Earlier on Friday, the opposition coalition of Progressive Party of Maldives and People’s National Congress held a number of rallies across the nation to protest the so-called “selling off Maldives” to India.
In the capital, around 350 motorcyclists came out onto the streets with banners and flags, which was a major show of strength by the opposition in the small nation. The opposition demonstrations were also demanding the release of former President Abdula Yameen, who is currently in jail on money-laundering charges.
“Most of these motorcyclists were part of the gangs who had been patronised by the previous regime. So if anti-social elements are on back on the streets, increasing security of Indian assets becomes vital,” added diplomatic sources.
Maldives foreign ministry sources added that the motorcycle rally was being held in “direct contravention of the guidelines put in place by the Health Protection Authority, given the community spread of COVID-19 in the capital city”.
They asserted that security measures that have been instituted “are part of a routine security exercise in the Greater Male Region”.
The trigger for the Maldivian opposition protests, as per sources, was the slew of announcements made by the Indian external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, which included funding for the largest infrastructure project in the Maldives.
During a video conference with his Maldivian counterpart, Jaishankar had announced that India would fund the Greater Malé Connectivity Project that could potentially overshadow China’s Sinamale bridge that cost over $200 million. He also added that India would give another USD 400 million line of credit, appending to the USD 800 million soft loan already being used to finance high impact projects in the Maldives.
Sources claimed the opposition was trying to corner the Ibrahim Solih government on its ties with India as New Delhi has been able to deliver on many of the projects that the president had requested after his election victory. “The opposition had assumed that the projects would get delayed and they will be able to cache onto the dissatisfaction over it”.
Highlighting the strengthened partnership with India under President Solih and his close ties with Indian PM Narendra Modi, sources in the Maldivian foreign ministry added that both countries are committee to “delivering results”. The number of development projects being undertaken with Indian financial support are progressing at excellent speed and will soon deliver their intended benefits to the people of the Maldives,” they said.
With an ultra-nationalist, Islamist platform and accusing the government of “selling” to India, the opposition is hoping to see a recap of the events that led to the fall of Mohamed Nasheed-led MDP government in 2012. Nasheed’s forcible resignation had been preceded by months of anti-GMR and anti-India protests by the opposition parties, which snowballed into a mutiny by security agencies in February.
'Your daddy's bullsh*t war': Joey Jones …
02-11-2024
Joey Jones criticizes Liz Cheney over her stance on Donald Trump, expressing frustration at veterans' sacrifices during her father's wars. Jones's comments garnered widespread support online. Meanwhile, Trump labeled Cheney...
Read more'Dark day': Megyn Kelly predicts chaos u…
02-11-2024
Megyn Kelly warns of a 'dark day' if Kamala Harris becomes president, criticizing her stance on immigration, transgender rights, and economic policies. Kelly claims Harris’s progressive agenda could worsen border...
Read moreRescuers end search for survivors after …
02-11-2024
Serbian rescuers have ceased their search after recovering 14 bodies from a collapsed canopy at Novi Sad railway station, where the tragedy also left three people seriously injured. The government...
Read moreBattle for the Blue Wall states: Will Tr…
02-11-2024
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, known as the 'Blue Wall' states, are key battlegrounds. Both candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald...
Read moreSerbia mourns victims after roof collaps…
02-11-2024
Serbia mourns after a roof collapse at Novi Sad’s main train station killed 14 and left three seriously injured. Authorities have launched an investigation, with Interior Minister Ivica Dacic confirming...
Read moreGreek police arrest man over Athens apar…
02-11-2024
Greek police have arrested a 31-year-old man linked to a home-made bomb explosion in Athens that killed one and injured another. The explosion, suspected to occur during bomb-making, is associated...
Read moreIran's supreme leader threatens Israel, …
02-11-2024
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has threatened a 'crushing response' against Israel and the United States if attacks on Iran and its allies persist. This statement follows an October...
Read more'No male friends, hair and makeup by exp…
02-11-2024
Soudi Al Nadak's viral Instagram video showcases the strict lifestyle rules set by her millionaire husband in Dubai, which include coordinating outfits and avoiding work or male friendships. Garnering over...
Read more'Giving the mic ole Hawk Tuah': Donald T…
02-11-2024
In the final days before the election, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris held competing rallies in Wisconsin. Trump faced microphone issues leading to a viral moment due to an awkward...
Read moreAbortion ban: Pregnant teen in Texas die…
01-11-2024
In Texas, the death of 18-year-old Neveah Crain emphasizes the difficulties created by the state’s abortion ban following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Despite experiencing severe health crises during...
Read more'Who the hell cares?': Donald Trump's re…
01-11-2024
Former US President Donald Trump, at a Milwaukee rally, dismissed climate change concerns, calling it overstated and mocking rising sea level fears. Trump emphasized nuclear threats as a greater danger...
Read moreFrom 'dipsh*t' to 'that gay guy': Tim Wa…
01-11-2024
At a Detroit rally, vice presidential candidate Tim Walz referred to Elon Musk as "that gay guy," sparking a mix of laughter and criticism online. This followed Walz's previous comments...
Read moreUS deploys more ballistic missile defenc…
01-11-2024
The United States has enhanced its military presence in the Middle East by deploying additional ballistic missile defence destroyers, fighter squadrons, tanker aircraft, and B-52 bombers. This move aims to...
Read more'Faith bird that feels light when dawn i…
01-11-2024
US secretary of state Antony Blinken highlighted Rabindranath Tagore's words at the state department’s Diwali reception. President Biden and vice president Harris participated, recognizing Diwali's significance. Biden hosted a record...
Read moreFake video depicting voter fraud in Geor…
01-11-2024
US intelligence officials reveal a fabricated video by Russian operatives claiming voter fraud in Georgia, cautioning continued foreign election interference. The FBI and other agencies proactively address disinformation, identifying this...
Read moreSocial media sensation 'Peanut the Squir…
01-11-2024
Peanut the Squirrel, a pet of content creator Mark Longo, was euthanized by New York authorities for rabies testing after being seized from his home. Fans initiated a petition and...
Read moreKamala Harris vows to end 'unnecessary' …
01-11-2024
Kamala Harris pledged to eliminate unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs via executive order on her first day as president. Addressing a crowd in Janesville, she emphasized this move's potential...
Read moreElon Musk reacts to reports that he coul…
01-11-2024
Elon Musk is from South Africa and he dismissed allegations that he violated US immigration law. Even President Joe Biden spoke about the issue as he said, "That wealthiest man...
Read moreWatch: Hugh Hewitt storms out of Washing…
01-11-2024
When Hewitt's turn came to speak he said the news needed to be reported. “Bucks County was reversed by the court and instructed to open up extra days because they...
Read moreGay Trump supporter explains why Trump h…
01-11-2024
Ohio Senator JD Vance, on Joe Rogan's podcast, discussed LGBTQ+ rights, focusing on medical interventions for gender transitions. Vance and Rogan questioned the support for early gender transition policies. Trump’s...
Read more