Hugo Yue-Ho Yon's Letter of Credence, certifying his position as the first Resident Ambassador of the United States of America (US) to the Republic of Maldives, was accepted by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday.

Maldives gets first resident US envoy as Washington strives for wider influence in Indo-Pacific

The Supreme Court of Maldives on Sunday (August 6) barred jailed former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to take part in next month's presidential election.

The Supreme Court of Maldives on Sunday (August 6) barred jailed former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to take part in next month's presidential election. Yameen is currently serving an 11-year jail sentence after he was convicted on corruption and money-laundering charges. The Supreme Court's ruling is a setback for Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), which declared Yameen as its presidential candidate before he was convicted. According to a report by the news agency AFP, the PPM had not nominated another candidate, hoping Yameen could run from prison after appealing to the apex court. Last week, the PPM challenged the Election Commission's block on his candidacy because of his jail sentence, arguing that the commission misinterpreted the constitutional prerequisites for presidential candidates. As per a report by the news agency Reuters, Justice Husnu Al Suood ruled on Sunday the poll body's decision that "Gayoom is ineligible as he doesn't meet the conditions stipulated under article 109 is the correct decision." PPM might back a proxy candidate for election President Mohamed Solih, who took charge of the top post in 2018 after defeating Yameen, is seeking a second term in office despite his Maldivian Democratic Party splitting in June after a public fallout between Solih and another former president, Mohamed Nasheed. The PPM had hoped to mount a serious challenge to Solih. However, a part source, who did not wish to be identified, told AFP that they might now back a proxy candidate. The deadline to file nominations for the presidential election was originally August 3 but was extended by four days to Monday. During his tenure as president, Yameen imprisoned or forced into exile political figures he considered a threat to his rule. He attempted to stay in office after his defeat in the 2018 election but was forced to step down following the threat of sanctions from the United States. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Maldives Supreme Court bars jailed ex-president from taking part in presidential poll

On Inside South Asia, we take you Inside India's deadly floods: Bridges washed away, power stations submerged, temples drowned. Will lessons be learnt this time? -Maldives foreign minister speaks to WION and tell us why India matters -Sri Lankans seek greener pastures: What's at stake? -Chandrayaan-3 Lifts off: A landmark moment for India -From Nepal helicopter crash to the Iran-Afghanistan railroad, catch the latest stories from Inside South Asia with Dasuni Athauda

Deadly floods in India: No lessons learnt? | Chandrayaan-3 heads to moon

The Maldives is an important strategic and defence partner for India and part of India's neighbourhood first policy. Maldives Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid who was on a two-day visit spoke to WION's Bhairavi Singh and told us why India matters for the island nation.

Maldives Foreign Minister to WION | Why India matters

The Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid is in Delhi for a two-day visit where he met his counterpart Dr S Jaishankar yesterday and the two sides signed 9 agreements on project development under India’s grant assistance. Watch to know more about his visit and what it entails in this exclusive interview with Abdulla Shahid.

Maldives' Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid in India

Maldives part of India’s Neighbourhood 1st policy

Maldives foreign minister Abdullah Shahid has met his Indian counterpart Dr Jaishankar in New Delhi. They held discussions on bilateral regional and international issues of mutual interest the Maldive's top Diplomat is on a two-day visit to India.

Maldives FM Abdullah Shahid on a two-day India visit

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid is in India for a two-day visit. During this visit, he will review bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest with his counterpart, S Jaishankar.

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid arrives for two-day visit in India, to meet S Jaishankar

India has kicked off another engagement outreach in the Indian Ocean region. The Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary are on a visit to two of India's key maritime neighbours - Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Maldives to kick off drill in Indian Ocean

Relationship between one of the largest countries in the world and one of the smallest is quite cordial. India and Maldives are neighbours sharing a maritime border. Both nations share ethnic, linguistic, religious & commercial links steeped in antiquity. Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region. India is now handing over patrol vessels and landing craft to the Maldives as gifts.

Why is India handing over patrol vessels and landing craft to the Maldives as gifts?

Maldives' Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid spoke to WION's Diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal on a range of issues. When asked how he sees India's G20 presidency with reference to giving a voice to the Global South, Shahid said that he is glad that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had kept it inclusive and is gunning to champion every nation's cause. He said that he expects India to take up every nation's cause in the south, especially as the world emerges from the pandemic.

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid speaks to WION on India's G20 Presidency

Maldives' Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, who is currently in Delhi to attend an event, spoke to WION correspondent Sidhant Sibal on a range of issues. Watch this exclusive interview.

WION Exclusive: Maldives' Foreign minister hopeful of India becoming a voice for Global South

A South African couple have entered the Guinness world records, for...hold your breath...the longest underwater kiss, lasting 4 minutes & 6 seconds. A breathtaking feat sealed with a kiss, in the Maldives.

Inside South Asia: Hold your breath for the longest underwater kiss

A South African couple have entered the Guinness world records, for...Hold your breath...The longest underwater kiss, lasting 4 minutes & 6 seconds. A breathtaking feat sealed with a kiss, in the Maldives.

Inside South Asia: Hold your breath...For the world's longest underwater kiss

Is another B-town couple getting hitched? Rumours have been rife for the past few days that Prabhas and Kriti Sanon are all set to get engaged in Maldives in the coming week. The 'Adipurush' stars have been linked to each other for a while now and even though Sanon has earlier denied dating Prabhas, the rumours around their relationship refuse to die down. Now, the internet is buzzing with the news of their engagement.&nbsp; 
 
On Wednesday, however, a source close to Prabhas clarified the news and stated that there was no truth to it. "There is absolutely no truth to the stories doing rounds and it's just a figment of someone's imagination. Both Prabhas and Kriti are co-stars and anything that suggests otherwise shouldn't be believed. " 
 
While there were rumours of the two dating for while, it gained more prominence when actor Varun Dhawan, Kriti's co-star in 'Bhediya' teased her on the sets of the dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'. Dhawan hinted that Kriti is dating her 'Adipurush' co-star but shied away from naming him.&nbsp; 
 
During the show, Varun had said, "Kriti ka naam isiliye nahi tha kyunki Kriti ka naam kisi ke dil me hai. Ek aadmi hai jo Mumbai me nahi hai, vo iss waqt shooting kar raha hai Deepika Padukone ke saath (Kriti's name is not here because her name is in someone's heart. That man is not in Mumbai because right now he is shooting with Deepika Padukone)." 
 
Kriti Sanon later clarified in an Instagram story that the "rumours are absolutely baseless."

"Its neither Pyaar, nor PR. Our Bhediya just went a little too wild on a reality show. And his fun banter lead to some Howl-arious rumours. Before some portal announces my wedding date-let me burst your bubble. The rumours are absolutely baseless," read Kriti Sanon's statement. 
 
Prabhas and Kriti Sanon will star together in 'Adipurush' which is being helmed by Om Raut. The film also features Sunny Singh and Saif Ali Khan in key roles. 'Adipurush' will release in theatres on June 16.

Is another B-town couple getting hitched? Rumours have been rife for the past few days that Prabhas and Kriti Sanon are all set to get engaged in Maldives in the coming week.

Is another B-town couple getting hitched? Rumours have been rife for the past few days that Prabhas and Kriti Sanon are all set to get engaged in Maldives in the coming week. The 'Adipurush' stars have been linked to each other for a while now and even though Sanon has earlier denied dating Prabhas, the rumours around their relationship refuse to die down. Now, the internet is buzzing with the news of their engagement. On Wednesday, however, a source close to Prabhas clarified the news and stated that there was no truth to it. "There is absolutely no truth to the stories doing rounds and it's just a figment of someone's imagination. Both Prabhas and Kriti are co-stars and anything that suggests otherwise shouldn't be believed. " While there were rumours of the two dating for while, it gained more prominence when actor Varun Dhawan, Kriti's co-star in 'Bhediya' teased her on the sets of the dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa'. Dhawan hinted that Kriti is dating her 'Adipurush' co-star but shied away from naming him. During the show, Varun had said, "Kriti ka naam isiliye nahi tha kyunki Kriti ka naam kisi ke dil me hai. Ek aadmi hai jo Mumbai me nahi hai, vo iss waqt shooting kar raha hai Deepika Padukone ke saath (Kriti's name is not here because her name is in someone's heart. That man is not in Mumbai because right now he is shooting with Deepika Padukone)." Kriti Sanon later clarified in an Instagram story that the "rumours are absolutely baseless." "Its neither Pyaar, nor PR. Our Bhediya just went a little too wild on a reality show. And his fun banter lead to some Howl-arious rumours. Before some portal announces my wedding date-let me burst your bubble. The rumours are absolutely baseless," read Kriti Sanon's statement. Prabhas and Kriti Sanon will star together in 'Adipurush' which is being helmed by Om Raut. The film also features Sunny Singh and Saif Ali Khan in key roles. 'Adipurush' will release in theatres on June 16.

Prabhas and Kriti Sanon to get engaged in Maldives? Here's the truth

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory. Solih received around 61 per cent of the total votes cast, according to local media outlets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Solih's campaign team celebrated his victory in the elections. Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid said the victory represents a resounding affirmation of the president's progressive policies and inclusive leadership. President Solih told the media after casting his ballot that there had been no instances of vote-rigging in party&nbsp;internal elections.

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Chairman of the Election Committee Ibrahim Waheed told Maldives public broadcaster PSM News that the results of all the ballot boxes have now been received and the voting process was closely monitored.

Despite Mohamed Nasheed opposing Solih's candidature within his own party, the latter has said he would compete for a second term. Solih had entered the contest in the party primary elections, which took place on January 28. The two faced off and Solih won by a wide margin. Now, this year's Maldives presidential election will take place on September 9 with a potential runoff on September 30.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/memphis-police-to-permanently-deactivate-its-infamous-scorpion-unit-whose-officers-fatally-beat-tyre-nichols-556909">Memphis police to ‘permanently deactivate’ its SCORPION unit whose officers fatally beat Tyre Nichols</a>

Solih during his campaign had said that working with other parties would give the MDP a future in Maldivian politics. In order to keep the MDP in power, he has often said that he will establish a coalition with other parties. He refers to this alliance as the "winning formula." Solih's win on Saturday ensures him the presidential ticket of the biggest political party in the Maldives.

In the Maldives, this is the first time a sitting president has run for office in a party primary. Solih is the seventh president of the Republic of Maldives. 60-year-old Solih took office in 2018 for a five-year term. He'll run in the September election for the position of president.

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<h2>What do the upcoming Maldives elections mean for India?&nbsp;</h2>

Since 2018, when Abdulla Yameen, Maldives' president from 2013 to 2018, lost to Solih, relations between India and the Maldives have significantly improved. Yameen had influenced Maldives' foreign policy in favour of China. During the last year, Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has reportedly waged an anti-India campaign. It claimed&nbsp;that the MDP administration has allowed Indian forces to be stationed on Maldivian land.

After being found guilty of money laundering and bribery late last year, Yameen is currently serving an 11-year jail term. This jail term prevents him from running for office. However, his Progressive Congress Coalition is seeking to develop a legal argument for a higher court to exonerate him.&nbsp;

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Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory. Solih received around 61 per cent of the total votes cast, according to local media outlets. Solih's campaign team celebrated his victory in the elections. Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Shahid said the victory represents a resounding affirmation of the president's progressive policies and inclusive leadership. President Solih told the media after casting his ballot that there had been no instances of vote-rigging in party internal elections. Also Read | Taliban ban Afghan girls from taking university entrance exams Chairman of the Election Committee Ibrahim Waheed told Maldives public broadcaster PSM News that the results of all the ballot boxes have now been received and the voting process was closely monitored. Despite Mohamed Nasheed opposing Solih's candidature within his own party, the latter has said he would compete for a second term. Solih had entered the contest in the party primary elections, which took place on January 28. The two faced off and Solih won by a wide margin. Now, this year's Maldives presidential election will take place on September 9 with a potential runoff on September 30. Also Read | Memphis police to ‘permanently deactivate’ its SCORPION unit whose officers fatally beat Tyre Nichols Solih during his campaign had said that working with other parties would give the MDP a future in Maldivian politics. In order to keep the MDP in power, he has often said that he will establish a coalition with other parties. He refers to this alliance as the "winning formula." Solih's win on Saturday ensures him the presidential ticket of the biggest political party in the Maldives. In the Maldives, this is the first time a sitting president has run for office in a party primary. Solih is the seventh president of the Republic of Maldives. 60-year-old Solih took office in 2018 for a five-year term. He'll run in the September election for the position of president. Watch | Zombie Fungus: Fungal pandemic can turn humans into zombies? What do the upcoming Maldives elections mean for India? Since 2018, when Abdulla Yameen, Maldives' president from 2013 to 2018, lost to Solih, relations between India and the Maldives have significantly improved. Yameen had influenced Maldives' foreign policy in favour of China. During the last year, Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has reportedly waged an anti-India campaign. It claimed that the MDP administration has allowed Indian forces to be stationed on Maldivian land. After being found guilty of money laundering and bribery late last year, Yameen is currently serving an 11-year jail term. This jail term prevents him from running for office. However, his Progressive Congress Coalition is seeking to develop a legal argument for a higher court to exonerate him. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Maldives President Solih wins high-stakes MDP primary with wide margin

Maldives' new high commissioner to India Ibrahim Shaheeb has pitched for stronger connectivity between the two countries and more tourists from India in his first interview since presenting his credentials in November of this year. Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, high commissioner Shaheeb said, "Connectivity has always been a priority, and the relationship has continued because of connectivity."&nbsp;

Several direct flights link Indian cities to the national capital of Maldives Malé and the focus is to connect southern India to the country with ferries.&nbsp;

On tourists from India, the high commissioner pointed out, "To see the love, to be in the Maldives for Indians, that is something very heartwarming for me and it makes my work very easy, to convince people that Maldives is a destination where they can go."&nbsp;

He highlighted that, "It is not only the high-end market we are catering to now, we have started to cater to the lower-end market as well."&nbsp;

Indians were the number one travelers to the country in 2022 for the third year in a row. This year, they accounted for 15% of the tourists. An Indian was the 1.6 millionth tourist to the country this year and was welcomed with much fanfare. The country has kept a target of 1.6 million tourists for 2022. The High commissioner also spoke on issues like the usage of national currencies for trade, action against elements calling for attack on the Indian mission and India's infrastructure support for the country.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India-Maldives ties?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: When we talk about the close relationship we have between the two countries, I would like to point out that the relationship is not only about just high level, it is deeply rooted with people as well. We had interactions way before our independence as well.&nbsp;

Interaction between the people is very symbolic for us and that relationship still continues. When you talk about close relationships at a high level, I would like to point out the visit of PM Modi in 2018 for the inauguration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, that was a very welcome and a good gesture to start building a relationship.&nbsp;

I would also like to point out, PM Modi visited the Maldives in 2019 after his re-election in his 2nd term. This was his first foreign visit. Our president visited India very recently, in August this year. That visit has shown a close relationship at the highest level and the relationship continues down the line as well.&nbsp;

We can see that relationships are time-tested. During the pandemic both countries worked very closely to fulfill the needs of the people and the society. I would like to point out and thank the Govt of India. Indian govt assisted Maldivians who were stranded in Wuhan when the pandemic started, Indian govt also assisted in the transportation of essential drugs to Maldives, the govt has continued to provide financial assistance, air travel bubble has been made between the two&nbsp;countries, gifting of vaccines. These are some of the things I can name, the list goes on but these things have helped build a relationship and give us new momentum on the relationship which I intend to continue during my time as well.&nbsp;

WION: What will be your focus during your tenure?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: My focus will be building upon the relationship that both leaders have started. One of the areas would be to boost trade between the two countries.&nbsp;

During the recent visit of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, business interaction took place between the two countries. I intend to expand that relationship and continue the B2B interaction because initial steps have been taken and we are moving forward. I intend to introduce Maldivian cuisines into the Indian market. I believe this could be another avenue where we could promote trade between the two&nbsp;countries. Tourism is another area I will focus on.&nbsp;

As you know, during the pandemic, Maldives was able to gain the trust of international travelers because of the travel bubble we had with India. Indian tourists came in. They constitute major number of tourist market&nbsp;in Maldives but it also gave confidence to the international travellers to travel to Maldives. We are very grateful for that. I intend to expand that, increasing travel from India to Maldives. As you know, it is not only about Indians travelling to Maldives, Maldivians travel a lot to India as well for essential or advanced medical treatment, for tourism, for education, so these are the areas we will be looking at during my term here.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India's infrastructure projects in Maldives?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: India is supporting one of the largest infrastructure projects, the greater Malé connectivity project. It links Malé to Thilafushi and within that 4 islands are connected, Malé city, Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.&nbsp;

This project is geared to be one of the biggest projects which will bring a lot of economic benefits to the Maldives. We are grateful to the Indian govt for giving us both a line of credit and grant assistance for this project. Apart from that there is another project that is going on which we call a high-impact development project. 25 projects that are ongoing, some of the projects have completed and others are in the final stages of completion. These projects have directly impacted the community and the development of the community. People have received these projects well. We hope to continue these projects because it has a direct impact on the community. People are looking forward to these projects.&nbsp;

WION: Connectivity is another key area, Maldivians come regularly to India as you pointed and vice versa. What are the projects in the pipeline when it comes to connectivity, especially southern India?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: Connectivity has always been a priority, and the relationship has continued because of connectivity. As you know direct flights fly between Malé to Delhi and Malé to Bangalore, Kochi, Trivandrum, Mumbai and other cities.&nbsp;

This air connectivity has helped "people to people" travel as well as businesses at the same time, southern India -- Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a sea ferry project was started. We are trying our best to restore and continue the project.&nbsp;

Hopefully we will be able to increase that connectivity as well but having said that I would like to point out, India is one of the biggest trading partners of Maldives which mainly comes through sea as well. We will continue to expand connectivity during my time as well.&nbsp;

WION: India has been focusing on usage of national currencies, what is status like between India and Maldives when it comes to usage of national currencies?&nbsp;

High Commissioner Shaheeb: As you know, during PM Modi's 2018 visit, an MoU was signed between India and the Maldives for recognition of RuPay, the implementation stages are in the process, and I believe it is in the final stages.&nbsp;

Once both financial institutions make final amendments to regulations, we will be able to implement it. Once it is implemented, I am sure that travel will increase, trade will increase and it will be beneficial to both sides as well. Apart from that, we will continue to find ways in which we can increase trade, travel between two countries through exchange of these financial mechanisms.&nbsp;

WION: Use of RuPay card has been agreed on but on usage of national currencies, have both sides held talks?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: Well, discussions have been going on and we continue to explore ways in which we can cooperate. I am sure I will continue the discussion in the years ahead.

WION: In Maldives, we saw elements calling for an attack on the Indian High Commission. This raises concern. We saw action by the Maldives police and also statements by Maldives foreign ministry and political parties, your reaction?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: From the Maldivian point of view, safety and security of diplomats and diplomatic missions is a high priority. We will not tolerate any sort of incitement into these things, and as you rightly said, we have taken necessary actions and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Police have arrested the person who tried to incite&nbsp;violence, we will continue to monitor and provide safety for all diplomats. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Indians like to go to Maldives, Indian celebrities have been regularly posting pictures on Instagram, how do you view this love or popularity for Maldives in India?

High Commissioner Shaheeb: This is a good sign of our relationship that we have had over the years. It is only very recently we see so many Indian tourists travelling to the Maldives.&nbsp;

I am very delighted to be here at a time when India is the number one tourist market for Maldives.&nbsp;

To see the love, to be in Maldives for Indians, is something very heartwarming for me and it makes my work very easy, to convince people that Maldives is a destination where they can go and it is very close by as well.&nbsp;

If you think of Delhi, it is just a four-hour flight away. There are direct flights to Male as well, so connectivity is very convenient now and at the same time, for me to convince people that Maldives is affordable is something I want to promote. A lot of the time when I meet people they say, nice place but it is expensive.&nbsp;

I would like to point out, Maldives has places where everyone can afford to go, it is not only the high-end market we are catering to now, we have started to cater to the lower-end market as well. Very recently, the government has introduced homestays as well, these are avenues where everyone can visit the Maldives and see&nbsp;beauty of it. I very proudly say, pictures can be deceiving and it is only when you travel to the Maldives and see by yourself, you see the beauty of it.

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Maldives' new high commissioner to India Ibrahim Shaheeb has pitched for stronger connectivity between the two countries and more tourists from India in his first interview since presenting his credentials in November of this year.

Maldives' new high commissioner to India Ibrahim Shaheeb has pitched for stronger connectivity between the two countries and more tourists from India in his first interview since presenting his credentials in November of this year. Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, high commissioner Shaheeb said, "Connectivity has always been a priority, and the relationship has continued because of connectivity." Several direct flights link Indian cities to the national capital of Maldives Malé and the focus is to connect southern India to the country with ferries. On tourists from India, the high commissioner pointed out, "To see the love, to be in the Maldives for Indians, that is something very heartwarming for me and it makes my work very easy, to convince people that Maldives is a destination where they can go." He highlighted that, "It is not only the high-end market we are catering to now, we have started to cater to the lower-end market as well." Indians were the number one travelers to the country in 2022 for the third year in a row. This year, they accounted for 15% of the tourists. An Indian was the 1.6 millionth tourist to the country this year and was welcomed with much fanfare. The country has kept a target of 1.6 million tourists for 2022. The High commissioner also spoke on issues like the usage of national currencies for trade, action against elements calling for attack on the Indian mission and India's infrastructure support for the country. WION: How do you see India-Maldives ties? High Commissioner Shaheeb: When we talk about the close relationship we have between the two countries, I would like to point out that the relationship is not only about just high level, it is deeply rooted with people as well. We had interactions way before our independence as well. Interaction between the people is very symbolic for us and that relationship still continues. When you talk about close relationships at a high level, I would like to point out the visit of PM Modi in 2018 for the inauguration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, that was a very welcome and a good gesture to start building a relationship. I would also like to point out, PM Modi visited the Maldives in 2019 after his re-election in his 2nd term. This was his first foreign visit. Our president visited India very recently, in August this year. That visit has shown a close relationship at the highest level and the relationship continues down the line as well. We can see that relationships are time-tested. During the pandemic both countries worked very closely to fulfill the needs of the people and the society. I would like to point out and thank the Govt of India. Indian govt assisted Maldivians who were stranded in Wuhan when the pandemic started, Indian govt also assisted in the transportation of essential drugs to Maldives, the govt has continued to provide financial assistance, air travel bubble has been made between the two countries, gifting of vaccines. These are some of the things I can name, the list goes on but these things have helped build a relationship and give us new momentum on the relationship which I intend to continue during my time as well. WION: What will be your focus during your tenure? High Commissioner Shaheeb: My focus will be building upon the relationship that both leaders have started. One of the areas would be to boost trade between the two countries. During the recent visit of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, business interaction took place between the two countries. I intend to expand that relationship and continue the B2B interaction because initial steps have been taken and we are moving forward. I intend to introduce Maldivian cuisines into the Indian market. I believe this could be another avenue where we could promote trade between the two countries. Tourism is another area I will focus on. As you know, during the pandemic, Maldives was able to gain the trust of international travelers because of the travel bubble we had with India. Indian tourists came in. They constitute major number of tourist market in Maldives but it also gave confidence to the international travellers to travel to Maldives. We are very grateful for that. I intend to expand that, increasing travel from India to Maldives. As you know, it is not only about Indians travelling to Maldives, Maldivians travel a lot to India as well for essential or advanced medical treatment, for tourism, for education, so these are the areas we will be looking at during my term here. WION: How do you see India's infrastructure projects in Maldives? High Commissioner Shaheeb: India is supporting one of the largest infrastructure projects, the greater Malé connectivity project. It links Malé to Thilafushi and within that 4 islands are connected, Malé city, Villingli, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi. This project is geared to be one of the biggest projects which will bring a lot of economic benefits to the Maldives. We are grateful to the Indian govt for giving us both a line of credit and grant assistance for this project. Apart from that there is another project that is going on which we call a high-impact development project. 25 projects that are ongoing, some of the projects have completed and others are in the final stages of completion. These projects have directly impacted the community and the development of the community. People have received these projects well. We hope to continue these projects because it has a direct impact on the community. People are looking forward to these projects. WION: Connectivity is another key area, Maldivians come regularly to India as you pointed and vice versa. What are the projects in the pipeline when it comes to connectivity, especially southern India? High Commissioner Shaheeb: Connectivity has always been a priority, and the relationship has continued because of connectivity. As you know direct flights fly between Malé to Delhi and Malé to Bangalore, Kochi, Trivandrum, Mumbai and other cities. This air connectivity has helped "people to people" travel as well as businesses at the same time, southern India -- Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a sea ferry project was started. We are trying our best to restore and continue the project. Hopefully we will be able to increase that connectivity as well but having said that I would like to point out, India is one of the biggest trading partners of Maldives which mainly comes through sea as well. We will continue to expand connectivity during my time as well. WION: India has been focusing on usage of national currencies, what is status like between India and Maldives when it comes to usage of national currencies? High Commissioner Shaheeb: As you know, during PM Modi's 2018 visit, an MoU was signed between India and the Maldives for recognition of RuPay, the implementation stages are in the process, and I believe it is in the final stages. Once both financial institutions make final amendments to regulations, we will be able to implement it. Once it is implemented, I am sure that travel will increase, trade will increase and it will be beneficial to both sides as well. Apart from that, we will continue to find ways in which we can increase trade, travel between two countries through exchange of these financial mechanisms. WION: Use of RuPay card has been agreed on but on usage of national currencies, have both sides held talks? High Commissioner Shaheeb: Well, discussions have been going on and we continue to explore ways in which we can cooperate. I am sure I will continue the discussion in the years ahead. WION: In Maldives, we saw elements calling for an attack on the Indian High Commission. This raises concern. We saw action by the Maldives police and also statements by Maldives foreign ministry and political parties, your reaction? High Commissioner Shaheeb: From the Maldivian point of view, safety and security of diplomats and diplomatic missions is a high priority. We will not tolerate any sort of incitement into these things, and as you rightly said, we have taken necessary actions and the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Police have arrested the person who tried to incite violence, we will continue to monitor and provide safety for all diplomats. WION: Indians like to go to Maldives, Indian celebrities have been regularly posting pictures on Instagram, how do you view this love or popularity for Maldives in India? High Commissioner Shaheeb: This is a good sign of our relationship that we have had over the years. It is only very recently we see so many Indian tourists travelling to the Maldives. I am very delighted to be here at a time when India is the number one tourist market for Maldives. To see the love, to be in Maldives for Indians, is something very heartwarming for me and it makes my work very easy, to convince people that Maldives is a destination where they can go and it is very close by as well. If you think of Delhi, it is just a four-hour flight away. There are direct flights to Male as well, so connectivity is very convenient now and at the same time, for me to convince people that Maldives is affordable is something I want to promote. A lot of the time when I meet people they say, nice place but it is expensive. I would like to point out, Maldives has places where everyone can afford to go, it is not only the high-end market we are catering to now, we have started to cater to the lower-end market as well. Very recently, the government has introduced homestays as well, these are avenues where everyone can visit the Maldives and see beauty of it. I very proudly say, pictures can be deceiving and it is only when you travel to the Maldives and see by yourself, you see the beauty of it. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Maldives envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb bats for more connectivity & tourists from India

While speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Maldives' new high commissioner to India Ibrahim Shaheeb has pitched for stronger connectivity between the two countries and more tourists from India.

WION Dispatch Maldives envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb seeks more connectivity & tourists from India

Former Maldives President Abdullah Yameen has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after a court in the country found him guilty of corruption and money laundering.

WION Dispatch | Maldives: Former President Yameen gets 11-year jail term in corruption case

A number of important Maldives-China agreements in the Indian Ocean have led&nbsp;Malé to address that Beijing has remained "one of the most important development partners" of the island nation. In terms of the economic situation, the scenario may seem dire for a Maldivian person. But China has simply lured Maldives into a financial trap to&nbsp;double-check India's trade with the rest of the world.

Swapping of letters of credit

Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi pledged to sign a number of bilateral agreements for the construction and upkeep of infrastructure in the Indian Ocean archipelago during his visit to the island nation in January 2022.

Wang&nbsp;has also agreed to extend a 30-day visa-free entrance term to Maldivian nationals upon the immediate lifting of the current Covid restrictions. 

The Maldives and the People's Republic of China signed a "Letter of Exchange" on a "Feasibility Study of Management and Maintenance of China-Maldives Friendship Bridge" in exchange for Chinese assistance in maintaining the 1400 meters long cross-over connecting the metropolis island Male with the island of Hulhumale. 

The Chinese government provided financial support totalling about $200 million for the construction of this bridge. The Maldives is currently struggling under a $1.4 billion debt with China, which President Ibrahim M Solih's administration is working to "restructure". 

Due to its geographic location, the Maldives are the most suited place to establish desalination facilities. China has given aid in the construction of desalination facilities because it sees this as a chance to sell its plants. They agreed to "Economic and Technical Cooperation" on grant aid, with a focus on initiatives that improve the infrastructure and standard of living in both nations.

Why the Maldives is important for India

Located at one of the most advantageous spots in the Indian Ocean, this chain of islands forms a country. 

Its southern and northern extremities are situated on the world's busiest shipping lanes (SLOCs). One of the busiest SLOCs in the world is located in the northern IOR, with almost 90,000 boats travelling through it annually and carrying 9.84 billion tonnes of commercial cargo. 

In the Indian Ocean, which is where the Straits of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Strait of Malacca originate, an estimated 36 million barrels of crude oil are transshipped daily, or about 64 per cent&nbsp;of all oil commerce. 

The Maldives span approximately 860 kilometres from north to south and are situated over this crucial SLOC. In order to fulfil its aim of creating a single Chinese nation, China is closely monitoring all of these factors as it tries to disrupt and dominate these SLOCs. 

As a result, China aspires to rule the West, and its close proximity to the Maldives is a step in that regard. They play a crucial role in the flow of maritime commerce between the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia and the Gulf of Aden, and also between the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Hormuz in Western Asia. According to government statistics, nearly half of all trade in India is carried out through SLOCs. 

In addition, the Maldives is a participant in both the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation(SAARC) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SASEC).

Indian interests and China's strategic presence

In recent years, China's strategic presence in India's near neighbourhood has expanded. 

The Maldives, home to a population of over a million, is a key "pearl" in China's "String of Pearls" infrastructure project in South Asia. 

The strategic presence of China in the Maldives is a source of concern, especially in light of the uncertain state of the Sino-Indian relationship. The Maldives have also started to use the China card in their discussions with India. 

With New Delhi's consistent high-level communication and commitment to an "India First" foreign policy toward the Solih government, the Chinese Foreign Minister's visit would be closely watched. New Delhi has pledged $1.4 billion to the development of the island nation of 5.5 lakh people after a regime change in Male in 2018.

The expansion of an anti-"Indian military presence" campaign among groups of the Maldives' populace that are against the presence of "Indian military forces" in the nation also occurs at the same time as Mr. Wang's visit. The government has emphatically disputed the imputation. The "India Out" movement has gained strength in recent months with the support of President Yameen, whose conviction in a money laundering case, a while ago, was overturned by the Supreme Court.

Conclusion

A threat to democracy in the Maldives is constantly looming, especially with the rise of radicalization. Radicals, the Jamaat-e-Islami, and returning ISIS members with Maldivian ancestry could continue to press for the creation of the Islamic State and Nizam-e-Mustafa in their home nations. This event will serve as a marker for the end of democracy in the Maldives. Security issues in Lakshadweep and the rest of the Indian subcontinent will also get worse as a result. In order to stop the proliferate of radical Islamic terrorism in its backyard, India must abet the Maldives in the areas of counter-terrorism and intelligence mass.

A number of important Maldives-China agreements in the Indian Ocean have led Malé to address that Beijing has remained "one of the most important development partners" of the island nation.

A number of important Maldives-China agreements in the Indian Ocean have led Malé to address that Beijing has remained "one of the most important development partners" of the island nation. In terms of the economic situation, the scenario may seem dire for a Maldivian person. But China has simply lured Maldives into a financial trap to double-check India's trade with the rest of the world. Swapping of letters of credit Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi pledged to sign a number of bilateral agreements for the construction and upkeep of infrastructure in the Indian Ocean archipelago during his visit to the island nation in January 2022. Wang has also agreed to extend a 30-day visa-free entrance term to Maldivian nationals upon the immediate lifting of the current Covid restrictions. The Maldives and the People's Republic of China signed a "Letter of Exchange" on a "Feasibility Study of Management and Maintenance of China-Maldives Friendship Bridge" in exchange for Chinese assistance in maintaining the 1400 meters long cross-over connecting the metropolis island Male with the island of Hulhumale. The Chinese government provided financial support totalling about $200 million for the construction of this bridge. The Maldives is currently struggling under a $1.4 billion debt with China, which President Ibrahim M Solih's administration is working to "restructure". Due to its geographic location, the Maldives are the most suited place to establish desalination facilities. China has given aid in the construction of desalination facilities because it sees this as a chance to sell its plants. They agreed to "Economic and Technical Cooperation" on grant aid, with a focus on initiatives that improve the infrastructure and standard of living in both nations. Why the Maldives is important for India Located at one of the most advantageous spots in the Indian Ocean, this chain of islands forms a country. Its southern and northern extremities are situated on the world's busiest shipping lanes (SLOCs). One of the busiest SLOCs in the world is located in the northern IOR, with almost 90,000 boats travelling through it annually and carrying 9.84 billion tonnes of commercial cargo. In the Indian Ocean, which is where the Straits of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Strait of Malacca originate, an estimated 36 million barrels of crude oil are transshipped daily, or about 64 per cent of all oil commerce. The Maldives span approximately 860 kilometres from north to south and are situated over this crucial SLOC. In order to fulfil its aim of creating a single Chinese nation, China is closely monitoring all of these factors as it tries to disrupt and dominate these SLOCs. As a result, China aspires to rule the West, and its close proximity to the Maldives is a step in that regard. They play a crucial role in the flow of maritime commerce between the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia and the Gulf of Aden, and also between the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Hormuz in Western Asia. According to government statistics, nearly half of all trade in India is carried out through SLOCs. In addition, the Maldives is a participant in both the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation(SAARC) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SASEC). Indian interests and China's strategic presence In recent years, China's strategic presence in India's near neighbourhood has expanded. The Maldives, home to a population of over a million, is a key "pearl" in China's "String of Pearls" infrastructure project in South Asia. The strategic presence of China in the Maldives is a source of concern, especially in light of the uncertain state of the Sino-Indian relationship. The Maldives have also started to use the China card in their discussions with India. With New Delhi's consistent high-level communication and commitment to an "India First" foreign policy toward the Solih government, the Chinese Foreign Minister's visit would be closely watched. New Delhi has pledged $1.4 billion to the development of the island nation of 5.5 lakh people after a regime change in Male in 2018. The expansion of an anti-"Indian military presence" campaign among groups of the Maldives' populace that are against the presence of "Indian military forces" in the nation also occurs at the same time as Mr. Wang's visit. The government has emphatically disputed the imputation. The "India Out" movement has gained strength in recent months with the support of President Yameen, whose conviction in a money laundering case, a while ago, was overturned by the Supreme Court. Conclusion A threat to democracy in the Maldives is constantly looming, especially with the rise of radicalization. Radicals, the Jamaat-e-Islami, and returning ISIS members with Maldivian ancestry could continue to press for the creation of the Islamic State and Nizam-e-Mustafa in their home nations. This event will serve as a marker for the end of democracy in the Maldives. Security issues in Lakshadweep and the rest of the Indian subcontinent will also get worse as a result. In order to stop the proliferate of radical Islamic terrorism in its backyard, India must abet the Maldives in the areas of counter-terrorism and intelligence mass.

Maldives-China ties and challenges for India

The criminal court in the Maldives on Sunday (December 25) found former president Abdulla Yameen guilty of corruption and money laundering. The charges were related to receiving kickbacks from a private company.

The court said that the sentence will be announced soon. Yameen has denied the charges.

Yameen lost power in 2018. He was sentenced to five years in jail and was fined USD 5 million in 2019 for embezzling $1 million in state funds. At the time, the prosecution had said that the funds were acquired through the lease of resort development rights.&nbsp;

After his sentencing, Yameen was shifted to house arrest in 2020 but was freed months later.

Since his release, Yameen, the half-brother of former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has returned to active politics with a campaign against Indian influence in Maldives, raising concerns in New Delhi.

Yameen is the declared presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of the Maldives for an election due in 2023.

Situated close to strategic shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, Maldives is a focal point for competition between India and China over influence in the region.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The criminal court in the Maldives on Sunday (December 25) found former president Abdulla Yameen guilty of corruption and money laundering. The charges were related to receiving kickbacks from a private company.

The criminal court in the Maldives on Sunday (December 25) found former president Abdulla Yameen guilty of corruption and money laundering. The charges were related to receiving kickbacks from a private company. The court said that the sentence will be announced soon. Yameen has denied the charges. Yameen lost power in 2018. He was sentenced to five years in jail and was fined USD 5 million in 2019 for embezzling $1 million in state funds. At the time, the prosecution had said that the funds were acquired through the lease of resort development rights. After his sentencing, Yameen was shifted to house arrest in 2020 but was freed months later. Since his release, Yameen, the half-brother of former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has returned to active politics with a campaign against Indian influence in Maldives, raising concerns in New Delhi. Yameen is the declared presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of the Maldives for an election due in 2023. Situated close to strategic shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, Maldives is a focal point for competition between India and China over influence in the region. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Former Maldives president Yameen found guilty of corruption

Political parties, including the ruling&nbsp;Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), have condemned&nbsp; the call for an attack on the Indian High Commission in the capital&nbsp;Malé. The reaction came after a member of the opposition&nbsp;Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)&nbsp;Abbas Adil Riza&nbsp;called for an arson attack on the mission in a tweet. In&nbsp;Dhivehi, he tweeted, "The 8th February arson attacks in Addu were carried out on India's order. We haven't retaliated to that yet. I propose we start from the Indian High Commission."

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ފެބުރުއަރީ 8 ގައި އިންޑިޔާގެ އޯޑަރަށް އައްޑޫގައި ހުޅުޖެހީ. އެކަމުގެ ބަދަލު އަދި އޮތީ ނުހިފި. އެމްބަސީން ފަށަން އަޅުގަނޑަށް ފެންނަނީ. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaOut?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaOut</a> <a href="https://t.co/0RFjLTxNJT">pic.twitter.com/0RFjLTxNJT</a>
— Abbas Adil Riza (@AbbasRiza) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbbasRiza/status/1606152792019636224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Abbas was the Commissioner General of Customs during former President Yameen’s administration. Yameen's government was seen as close to China and under him, ties with India deteriorated drastically. So far, three&nbsp;political parties of the Indian Ocean country have reacted.&nbsp;

The ruling MDP, which has over 60 seats in the Parliament or People's Majlis condemned the call for arson attack and called for "authorities to investigate the matter" and criticised the "opposition’s continuous effort to incite violence &amp; hatred towards friendly nations".

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The MDP condemns in the strongest terms the call for an arson attack on the Indian High Commission, and calls on the authorities to investigate the matter. The MDP also condemns the opposition’s continuous effort to incite violence &amp; hatred towards friendly nations.
— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) <a href="https://twitter.com/MDPSecretariat/status/1606320205692432384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Maldives Third-Way Democrats, which was the first political party to condemn the call for the attack, highlighted that "India is our closest neighbour &amp; they are always there for the Maldives in every time we needed."

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MTD condemns the call for arson attack &amp; inciting terror against the Indian High Commission in Maldives <a href="https://twitter.com/HCIMaldives?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HCIMaldives</a> by PPM member and former government official <a href="https://twitter.com/AbbasRiza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbbasRiza</a> ! 
 
India 🇮🇳 is our closest neighbor &amp; they are always there for Maldives 🇲🇻 in every time we needed. <a href="https://t.co/oV9dhkURdH">https://t.co/oV9dhkURdH</a>
— Maldives Third-Way Democrats (@MTDSecretariat) <a href="https://twitter.com/MTDSecretariat/status/1606298048207810561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Maldives Reform Movement asked, "authorities to investigate and take strong action against" the remarks, terming it as "hate speech".

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MRM strongly condemns this cowardly incitement of arson and terrorism, targeted at <a href="https://twitter.com/HCIMaldives?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HCIMaldives</a>. We call on authorities to investigate and take strong action against this, and such other acts of hate speech instigating violence.<a href="https://twitter.com/AmbMunu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmbMunu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PoliceMv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PoliceMv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MNDF_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MNDF_Official</a> <a href="https://t.co/R9VhxJY2zg">https://t.co/R9VhxJY2zg</a>
— Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) 🇲🇻 (@MRM_Office) <a href="https://twitter.com/MRM_Office/status/1606309626307571712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Overnight, more political parties in the country reacted.&nbsp;Jumhooree Party which is part of the ruling coalition in the country "denounced" the comments made by Abbas Riza and "ongoing efforts to promote hatred and violence against friendly nations".&nbsp;

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The JP strongly condemns the threat to set the <a href="https://twitter.com/HCIMaldives?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HCIMaldives</a> on fire and requests that the authorities look into the matter. Additionally, the JP denounces <a href="https://twitter.com/AbbasRiza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbbasRiza</a>’s ongoing efforts to promote hatred and violence against friendly nations.
— JP Secretariat (@JPSecretariat) <a href="https://twitter.com/JPSecretariat/status/1606351887627784192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Maldives National Party also called on "authorities to do a thorough investigation into this" and commented that it&nbsp;should&nbsp;not "damage the excellent relations between&nbsp;India and Maldives."

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We, MNP, strongly condemn the incitement of an arson attack on the Indian High Commission in the Maldives. We call on the authorities to do a thorough investigation into this, and the incitement of terror and violence will in no way damage the excellent relations between 🇮🇳 🇲🇻
— Maldives National Party (@MNP_Secretariat) <a href="https://twitter.com/MNP_Secretariat/status/1606352624353255425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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No official comments have come so far&nbsp;from opposition Progressive Party of Maldives, the party of Abbas Adil Riza.&nbsp;

The development comes even as the opposition in the country has been spearheading an anti-India campaign "India Out". Earlier this year saw major disruption at the Yoga Day celebration organised by the Indian High Commission in Maldives, along with the country's Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment and UN Maldives.&nbsp;The Maldives police had said that flags which were used to disrupt the event were provided by the opposition PPM. 
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Political parties, including the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), have condemned the call for an attack on the Indian High Commission in the capital Malé.

Political parties, including the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), have condemned the call for an attack on the Indian High Commission in the capital Malé. The reaction came after a member of the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Abbas Adil Riza called for an arson attack on the mission in a tweet. In Dhivehi, he tweeted, "The 8th February arson attacks in Addu were carried out on India's order. We haven't retaliated to that yet. I propose we start from the Indian High Commission." ފެބުރުއަރީ 8 ގައި އިންޑިޔާގެ އޯޑަރަށް އައްޑޫގައި ހުޅުޖެހީ. އެކަމުގެ ބަދަލު އަދި އޮތީ ނުހިފި. އެމްބަސީން ފަށަން އަޅުގަނޑަށް ފެންނަނީ. #IndiaOut pic.twitter.com/0RFjLTxNJT — Abbas Adil Riza (@AbbasRiza) December 23, 2022 × Abbas was the Commissioner General of Customs during former President Yameen’s administration. Yameen's government was seen as close to China and under him, ties with India deteriorated drastically. So far, three political parties of the Indian Ocean country have reacted. The ruling MDP, which has over 60 seats in the Parliament or People's Majlis condemned the call for arson attack and called for "authorities to investigate the matter" and criticised the "opposition’s continuous effort to incite violence & hatred towards friendly nations". The MDP condemns in the strongest terms the call for an arson attack on the Indian High Commission, and calls on the authorities to investigate the matter. The MDP also condemns the opposition’s continuous effort to incite violence & hatred towards friendly nations. — MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) December 23, 2022 × The Maldives Third-Way Democrats, which was the first political party to condemn the call for the attack, highlighted that "India is our closest neighbour & they are always there for the Maldives in every time we needed." MTD condemns the call for arson attack & inciting terror against the Indian High Commission in Maldives @HCIMaldives by PPM member and former government official @AbbasRiza ! India 🇮🇳 is our closest neighbor & they are always there for Maldives 🇲🇻 in every time we needed. https://t.co/oV9dhkURdH — Maldives Third-Way Democrats (@MTDSecretariat) December 23, 2022 × Maldives Reform Movement asked, "authorities to investigate and take strong action against" the remarks, terming it as "hate speech". MRM strongly condemns this cowardly incitement of arson and terrorism, targeted at @HCIMaldives. We call on authorities to investigate and take strong action against this, and such other acts of hate speech instigating violence.@AmbMunu @PoliceMv @MNDF_Official https://t.co/R9VhxJY2zg — Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) 🇲🇻 (@MRM_Office) December 23, 2022 × Overnight, more political parties in the country reacted. Jumhooree Party which is part of the ruling coalition in the country "denounced" the comments made by Abbas Riza and "ongoing efforts to promote hatred and violence against friendly nations". The JP strongly condemns the threat to set the @HCIMaldives on fire and requests that the authorities look into the matter. Additionally, the JP denounces @AbbasRiza’s ongoing efforts to promote hatred and violence against friendly nations. — JP Secretariat (@JPSecretariat) December 23, 2022 × The Maldives National Party also called on "authorities to do a thorough investigation into this" and commented that it should not "damage the excellent relations between India and Maldives." We, MNP, strongly condemn the incitement of an arson attack on the Indian High Commission in the Maldives. We call on the authorities to do a thorough investigation into this, and the incitement of terror and violence will in no way damage the excellent relations between 🇮🇳 🇲🇻 — Maldives National Party (@MNP_Secretariat) December 23, 2022 × No official comments have come so far from opposition Progressive Party of Maldives, the party of Abbas Adil Riza. The development comes even as the opposition in the country has been spearheading an anti-India campaign "India Out". Earlier this year saw major disruption at the Yoga Day celebration organised by the Indian High Commission in Maldives, along with the country's Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment and UN Maldives. The Maldives police had said that flags which were used to disrupt the event were provided by the opposition PPM. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Political parties in Maldives condemn calls for attack on Indian mission

At the recently concluded 4th Indian Ocean conference, Maldives’s foreign minister Abdulla Shahid aptly said, “To think of the Maldives is to think of the Indian Ocean. More than 99 per cent&nbsp;of Maldives is water…” The nation of islands played host to over 200 delegates and representatives from over 40 countries during the conference, with significant ministerial and secretarial presence from as many as twenty countries. In addition to the host country’s president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, also addressed the participants. The Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar.

A garland of islands — or Maladvipa in Sanskrit and Malaitheevu in Tamil — what could be a better description of the tiny tropical nation, Maldives? With less than half a million people inhabiting only a few of the 1192 beautiful coral islands spread across some 90,000 square kilometres, Maldives is one of the most dispersed nations in the world. It is also the lowest, with an average height of just 1.5 metres above the sea, its tallest natural point only 5 metres or less than 15 feet high.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/we-need-to-rethink-our-role-on-planet-if-corals-cannot-be-saved-538687">'We need to rethink our role on planet if corals cannot be saved'</a>

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With Male as its capital, this sparsely inhabited country of islands was a Sultanate for nearly 850 years. Before their conversion in the 12th century C.E. which created the Islamic kingdom, Maldivians were largely Hindu-Buddhist for centuries. Three years after its independence from the British on July 26, 1965, Maldives declared itself a democratic Republic. Almost equidistant from Africa to its West and Indonesia to its East, Maldives occupies a strategic place bang in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

The island nation is not only remote and sparsely populated, it is also breathtakingly beautiful. The shallow circular coral atolls in the middle of the clean aquamarine waters give it an extraordinary natural environment, which is also immensely fragile and delicate. The Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of December 2004 devastated the Maldives. Of the 1,000 islands, less than ten escaped flooding or destruction. Six islands were totally lost, while nearly sixty had to be fully evacuated. Several island resorts had to be closed. Tourism accounting for nearly 30 per cent&nbsp;of Maldives’ GDP was severely affected. Indeed, global warming and climate change could totally submerge the nation if the sea levels rise by just a few metres.

Given that its theme was “Securing the Indian Ocean Region: Tradition and Non-Traditional Challenges,” such environmental concerns, in addition to the usual political issues, came in for repeated discussions in this year’s Indian Ocean conference. In addition, several speakers addressed the imperative to maintain the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace and prosperity. What sort of regional and security architecture can be put into place to protect the region from piracy, human and drugs trafficking, not to mention the threat of terrorism? The near-consensus was that the rule of law on the high seas could only be guaranteed by the collective responsibility of a consortium of Indian ocean states. The undisputed, if often unspoken, fact that India would have to be the fulcrum in such as an arrangement was also underscored.

The strategic and economic importance of the Indian Ocean region can hardly be overestimated. With China and India alone accounting for 2.5 billion people, nearly half of the world’s population lives in the continental and littoral areas of the region. Each year, trillions of dollars of goods, especially a huge percentage of the world’s energy resources, pass through its waters in over 60,000 ships. No wonder, Ram Madhav, the brain behind the conference, called the Indian Ocean “the world’s most happening place.” In an op-ed published to coincide with the conference, he predicted that the “global axis of power is shifting eastwards” and unequivocally asserted that “the Indian Ocean is where India’s future lies.”

Organised by the India Foundation, the Indian Ocean conference has become an important forum to consolidate India’s natural, geo-political, and historical advantages. Given its plural democratic polity lead by a dynamic elected leadership plus growing economic and military clout, India must play a more decisive role in the region. This was emphasised by foreign minister Jaishankar in his presentation urging India to widen its horizons from the Indian Ocean to the larger Indo-Pacific ecumene. Jaishankar was sending a message to Indian strategic thinkers as well as to the diplomatic establishment that without quite challenging, or competing with, China, India need to take on more responsibilities.

Thinking, then acting East, helping to contribute to the blue ocean economy and increase its strategic influence is the way ahead for India. Given our deep civilizational and historical ties with countries and communities of the region, India is best suited to play such a pivotal role in the decades to come. For this strategizing our capabilities and working with reliable partners is crucial.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-maldives-garland-of-coral-atolls-2787986">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

At the recently concluded 4th Indian Ocean conference, Maldives’s foreign minister Abdulla Shahid aptly said, “To think of the Maldives is to think of the Indian Ocean.

At the recently concluded 4th Indian Ocean conference, Maldives’s foreign minister Abdulla Shahid aptly said, “To think of the Maldives is to think of the Indian Ocean. More than 99 per cent of Maldives is water…” The nation of islands played host to over 200 delegates and representatives from over 40 countries during the conference, with significant ministerial and secretarial presence from as many as twenty countries. In addition to the host country’s president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, also addressed the participants. The Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. A garland of islands — or Maladvipa in Sanskrit and Malaitheevu in Tamil — what could be a better description of the tiny tropical nation, Maldives? With less than half a million people inhabiting only a few of the 1192 beautiful coral islands spread across some 90,000 square kilometres, Maldives is one of the most dispersed nations in the world. It is also the lowest, with an average height of just 1.5 metres above the sea, its tallest natural point only 5 metres or less than 15 feet high. WATCH | 'We need to rethink our role on planet if corals cannot be saved' × With Male as its capital, this sparsely inhabited country of islands was a Sultanate for nearly 850 years. Before their conversion in the 12th century C.E. which created the Islamic kingdom, Maldivians were largely Hindu-Buddhist for centuries. Three years after its independence from the British on July 26, 1965, Maldives declared itself a democratic Republic. Almost equidistant from Africa to its West and Indonesia to its East, Maldives occupies a strategic place bang in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The island nation is not only remote and sparsely populated, it is also breathtakingly beautiful. The shallow circular coral atolls in the middle of the clean aquamarine waters give it an extraordinary natural environment, which is also immensely fragile and delicate. The Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of December 2004 devastated the Maldives. Of the 1,000 islands, less than ten escaped flooding or destruction. Six islands were totally lost, while nearly sixty had to be fully evacuated. Several island resorts had to be closed. Tourism accounting for nearly 30 per cent of Maldives’ GDP was severely affected. Indeed, global warming and climate change could totally submerge the nation if the sea levels rise by just a few metres. Given that its theme was “Securing the Indian Ocean Region: Tradition and Non-Traditional Challenges,” such environmental concerns, in addition to the usual political issues, came in for repeated discussions in this year’s Indian Ocean conference. In addition, several speakers addressed the imperative to maintain the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace and prosperity. What sort of regional and security architecture can be put into place to protect the region from piracy, human and drugs trafficking, not to mention the threat of terrorism? The near-consensus was that the rule of law on the high seas could only be guaranteed by the collective responsibility of a consortium of Indian ocean states. The undisputed, if often unspoken, fact that India would have to be the fulcrum in such as an arrangement was also underscored. The strategic and economic importance of the Indian Ocean region can hardly be overestimated. With China and India alone accounting for 2.5 billion people, nearly half of the world’s population lives in the continental and littoral areas of the region. Each year, trillions of dollars of goods, especially a huge percentage of the world’s energy resources, pass through its waters in over 60,000 ships. No wonder, Ram Madhav, the brain behind the conference, called the Indian Ocean “the world’s most happening place.” In an op-ed published to coincide with the conference, he predicted that the “global axis of power is shifting eastwards” and unequivocally asserted that “the Indian Ocean is where India’s future lies.” Organised by the India Foundation, the Indian Ocean conference has become an important forum to consolidate India’s natural, geo-political, and historical advantages. Given its plural democratic polity lead by a dynamic elected leadership plus growing economic and military clout, India must play a more decisive role in the region. This was emphasised by foreign minister Jaishankar in his presentation urging India to widen its horizons from the Indian Ocean to the larger Indo-Pacific ecumene. Jaishankar was sending a message to Indian strategic thinkers as well as to the diplomatic establishment that without quite challenging, or competing with, China, India need to take on more responsibilities. Thinking, then acting East, helping to contribute to the blue ocean economy and increase its strategic influence is the way ahead for India. Given our deep civilizational and historical ties with countries and communities of the region, India is best suited to play such a pivotal role in the decades to come. For this strategizing our capabilities and working with reliable partners is crucial. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Maldives: Garland of Coral Atolls

A devastating fire has killed at least 10 people in Maldives including 9 Indian nationals. The fire broke out in the cramped lodging of foreign worked in the capital, Male. The fire is suspected to have begun in a vehicle repair garage at the ground floor of the building.

Maldives: At least 10 people including 9 Indian nationals killed in massive fire

At least 10 workers, nine of them Indian nationals, were killed after a fire engulfed a building where several foreign workers were staying in the capital Male city of Maldives. &nbsp;

According to officials, 10 bodies were recovered from the upper floor of the building while resuce operation is on to locate others.&nbsp;

Another person killed in the blaze was a Bangladesh national, a security official told AFP news agency.&nbsp;

Though details about the cause of fire is yet to emerge, reports claim that the fire originated from a ground-floor vehicle repair garage.&nbsp;

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Deadliest fire tragedy in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maldives?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maldives</a>. 11 dead bodies found so far. Reportedly all are migrant workers, packed in an overcrowded accommodation above a garage in the capital Male’ City. <a href="https://t.co/Y9FhKSnDkz">pic.twitter.com/Y9FhKSnDkz</a>
— Save Maldives (@SaveMaldivess) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaveMaldivess/status/1590577559351066624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"We have found 10 bodies," a fire service official said, adding that it took them about four hours to put out the fire, according to news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The Indian High Commission in Maldives expressed condolences over the tragic incident&nbsp;and said&nbsp;that they are in close contact with the family members of the deceased. &nbsp;

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Malé which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals. We are in close contact with the Maldivian authorities,” the High Commission of India in Maldives said in a tweet.&nbsp;

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We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Malé which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals. 
 
We are in close contact with the Maldivian authorities. 
 
For any assistance, HCI can be reached on following numbers: 
+9607361452 ; +9607790701
— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) <a href="https://twitter.com/HCIMaldives/status/1590573255592923136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Maldives president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that he has launched a probe into the incident.&nbsp;

“The dangerous fire incident in the city yesterday is a very sad incident. Many people have lost their lives and a large number have been injured. The incident is currently being investigated. Condolences to the families of the deceased,” he tweeted.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority of Maldives said they have set up an evacuation centre in a nearby stadium.&nbsp;

“NDMA has established an evacuation center in Maafannu Stadium for those displaced and affected by the fire in Male’. Arrangements are being made to provide relief assistance and support,” it said in a tweet.&nbsp;

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At least 10 workers, nine of them Indian nationals, were killed after a fire engulfed a building where several foreign workers were staying in the capital Male city of Maldives.

At least 10 workers, nine of them Indian nationals, were killed after a fire engulfed a building where several foreign workers were staying in the capital Male city of Maldives. According to officials, 10 bodies were recovered from the upper floor of the building while resuce operation is on to locate others. Another person killed in the blaze was a Bangladesh national, a security official told AFP news agency. Though details about the cause of fire is yet to emerge, reports claim that the fire originated from a ground-floor vehicle repair garage. Deadliest fire tragedy in the #Maldives. 11 dead bodies found so far. Reportedly all are migrant workers, packed in an overcrowded accommodation above a garage in the capital Male’ City. pic.twitter.com/Y9FhKSnDkz — Save Maldives (@SaveMaldivess) November 10, 2022 × "We have found 10 bodies," a fire service official said, adding that it took them about four hours to put out the fire, according to news agency AFP. The Indian High Commission in Maldives expressed condolences over the tragic incident and said that they are in close contact with the family members of the deceased. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Malé which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals. We are in close contact with the Maldivian authorities,” the High Commission of India in Maldives said in a tweet. We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Malé which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals. We are in close contact with the Maldivian authorities. For any assistance, HCI can be reached on following numbers: +9607361452 ; +9607790701 — India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) November 10, 2022 × Maldives president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that he has launched a probe into the incident. “The dangerous fire incident in the city yesterday is a very sad incident. Many people have lost their lives and a large number have been injured. The incident is currently being investigated. Condolences to the families of the deceased,” he tweeted. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority of Maldives said they have set up an evacuation centre in a nearby stadium. “NDMA has established an evacuation center in Maafannu Stadium for those displaced and affected by the fire in Male’. Arrangements are being made to provide relief assistance and support,” it said in a tweet. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nine Indians among 10 killed in Maldives building inferno  

WION's Ankit Tuteja dives into the unexplored world of the Maldives to get you the best from the island nation.

WION's travel guide to the Maldives

Scientists are racing against time to save the coral reef in the Maldives, they have now come up with a plan. They are regrowing corals using fragments of destroyed coral heads but will this plan prove to be a game changer , our next report has more!

Maldives: Can deep-sea research revive coral reefs?

On Monday, a report published by the local newspaper in the island nation Maldives indicated that the scientists on the Nekton Maldives Mission have discovered evidence of ‘The Trapping Zone’. It was described as ‘an oasis of oceanic life’, 500 metres below the surface.&nbsp;

“The discovery of ‘The Trapping Zone’ and the oasis of life in the depths surrounding the Maldives provides us with critical new knowledge that further supports our conservation commitments and sustainable ocean management, and almost certainly support fisheries and tourism,” said the country’s president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, hailing the discovery.&nbsp;

There is video evidence taken by the scientists using the camera on the Omega Seamaster II submersible which was combined with the biological samples collected, said the report by The Times of Addu.&nbsp;

Additionally, following extensive sonar mapping, they found megafauna predators such as sharks and other large fish feeding on swarms of micro-nekton, which are small organisms which can swim independently of the water current, said professor Lucy Woodall, Nekton Principal Scientist. These organisms are also trapped against the subsea landscape at the 500 metres mark.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-group-of-scientists-discovers-an-oasis-of-life-in-maldives-524104">WION Climate Tracker: Group of scientists discovers 'an oasis of life' in Maldives</a>

Furthermore, they usually migrate from the deep sea to the surface at night and back into the deep at dawn, this phenomenon is known as Vertical Migration. However, it seems like the steep vertical cliffs and shelving terraces along with volcanic subsea strata and fossilised carbonate reefs which form the base of the Maldivian atolls, reportedly do not let these organisms dive deeper.&nbsp;

These trapped animals are then targeted by megafauna and large pelagic predators including schools of sharks and tuna and large deep-water fish like spiky oreos and alfonsino. While scientists have found sharks in shallow waters in the Maldives, this is the first time they were able to document “an immense diversity of sharks in the deep sea”, said Shafiya Naeem, director general of the Maldives Marine Research Institute which also partnered with Nekton for this research.&nbsp;

They documented tiger sharks, six-gill sharks, sand tiger sharks, dogfish, gulper sharks, scalloped hammerhead sharks, silky sharks and the very rare bramble shark, said the report. Since marine ecosystems are defined by both topography and ocean life, ‘The Trapping Zone’ “has all the hallmarks of a distinct new ecosystem,” said professor Alex Rogers.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-look-to-the-humble-oyster-to-save-californias-coasts-524084">In an attempt to save California's coasts, scientists go in for the humble oyster</a>

He added, “The Trapping Zone is creating an oasis of life in the Maldives and it is highly likely to exist in other oceanic islands and also on the slopes of continents”. Rogers also spent more than 30 hours underwater studying the zone in one of the submersibles.&nbsp; 
The data collected during the expedition is reportedly being analysed in the Maldives, Nekton’s UK headquarters in Oxford and at partner laboratories. This discovery has important implications for other islands as well, including aspects like slopes of continents, sustainable fisheries management, and the burial and storage of carbon, which could help mitigate climate change someday, said the report.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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On Monday, a report published by the local newspaper in the island nation Maldives indicated that the scientists on the Nekton Maldives Mission have discovered evidence of ‘The Trapping Zone’.

On Monday, a report published by the local newspaper in the island nation Maldives indicated that the scientists on the Nekton Maldives Mission have discovered evidence of ‘The Trapping Zone’. It was described as ‘an oasis of oceanic life’, 500 metres below the surface. “The discovery of ‘The Trapping Zone’ and the oasis of life in the depths surrounding the Maldives provides us with critical new knowledge that further supports our conservation commitments and sustainable ocean management, and almost certainly support fisheries and tourism,” said the country’s president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, hailing the discovery. There is video evidence taken by the scientists using the camera on the Omega Seamaster II submersible which was combined with the biological samples collected, said the report by The Times of Addu. Additionally, following extensive sonar mapping, they found megafauna predators such as sharks and other large fish feeding on swarms of micro-nekton, which are small organisms which can swim independently of the water current, said professor Lucy Woodall, Nekton Principal Scientist. These organisms are also trapped against the subsea landscape at the 500 metres mark. ALSO WATCH: WION Climate Tracker: Group of scientists discovers 'an oasis of life' in Maldives Furthermore, they usually migrate from the deep sea to the surface at night and back into the deep at dawn, this phenomenon is known as Vertical Migration. However, it seems like the steep vertical cliffs and shelving terraces along with volcanic subsea strata and fossilised carbonate reefs which form the base of the Maldivian atolls, reportedly do not let these organisms dive deeper. These trapped animals are then targeted by megafauna and large pelagic predators including schools of sharks and tuna and large deep-water fish like spiky oreos and alfonsino. While scientists have found sharks in shallow waters in the Maldives, this is the first time they were able to document “an immense diversity of sharks in the deep sea”, said Shafiya Naeem, director general of the Maldives Marine Research Institute which also partnered with Nekton for this research. They documented tiger sharks, six-gill sharks, sand tiger sharks, dogfish, gulper sharks, scalloped hammerhead sharks, silky sharks and the very rare bramble shark, said the report. Since marine ecosystems are defined by both topography and ocean life, ‘The Trapping Zone’ “has all the hallmarks of a distinct new ecosystem,” said professor Alex Rogers. ALSO READ: In an attempt to save California's coasts, scientists go in for the humble oyster He added, “The Trapping Zone is creating an oasis of life in the Maldives and it is highly likely to exist in other oceanic islands and also on the slopes of continents”. Rogers also spent more than 30 hours underwater studying the zone in one of the submersibles. The data collected during the expedition is reportedly being analysed in the Maldives, Nekton’s UK headquarters in Oxford and at partner laboratories. This discovery has important implications for other islands as well, including aspects like slopes of continents, sustainable fisheries management, and the burial and storage of carbon, which could help mitigate climate change someday, said the report. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Report: Scientists find new ecosystem ‘The Trapping Zone’ in Maldives

A group of scientists believes that they have discovered a previously unknown ecosystem under the depths of the Indian ocean. Watch this report on newly discovered ecosystem.

WION Climate Tracker: Group of scientists discovers 'an oasis of life' in Maldives

Plastic waste from around the world is washing up on Maldivian beaches. It is killing marine organisms that live near the island nation. The mayor of Fuvahmulah, one of the most far-flung islands, is leading a campaign to rid his beaches of plastic waste. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary: Plastic waste is killing Maldivian beaches

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Maldives: Garland of Coral Atolls

Maldives: At least 10 people including 9 Indian nationals killed in massive fire

Nine Indians among 10 killed in Maldives building inferno