Former president Mohamed Nasheed has accused President Mohamed Muizzu of drawing the Maldives into the rivalry between India and Pakistan through expanded defence and other ties with Islamabad.
Nasheed said the agreements signed during Muizzu’s recent visit to Pakistan, including those covering defence and maritime security, risk complicating relations with India, the Maldives’ closest neighbour and traditional partner.
He argued that closer military cooperation with Pakistan could be viewed negatively in New Delhi and undermine the country’s strategic autonomy. Nasheed has previously warned that maintaining the current administration comes at a high cost to the public.
India has said it will monitor the new agreements closely and take appropriate steps if needed. The Maldives and Pakistan signed around 20 memorandums of understanding during the visit, covering defence, trade and other areas.
The government has framed the engagements as part of a diversified foreign policy. Critics, however, say the timing and content of the deals require careful management of relations with both regional powers.