Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid (left) with President of India Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi. / Abdulla Shahid | Photo Credit: Twitter

Male: Quashing media reports that claimed the newly-formed Maldives government will allow the deployment of Indian troops on their land in exchange of financial assistance, the island nation on Thursday said the new government would not do any such thing that would compromise their sovereignty.

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid took to Twitter on Thursday night to express his displeasure with media reports that “discredit” the Maldives government.

“I categorically refute media reports alleging that the government is planning to allow the establishment of an Indian military base in the Maldives in exchange for financial assistance or other material benefits. It is baseless and aimed at discrediting the government as it starts to rebuild good relations with its neighbours and the rest of the international community,” Shahid said in his tweet.

He further went on to say, “The government assures the people that it will always act in the national interest of Maldives, and will not undertake any international engagement that will compromise the sovereignty and independence of the country.”

2/2 . . relations with its neighbours and rest of the Int community. Govt assures the people, that it will always act in the national interest of Maldives, and will not undertake any international engagement that will compromise the sovereignty and independence of the country! — Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) November 29, 2018

Shahid was apparently referring to a few international media reports that said India offered $1 billion in return for ‘stronger security ties’ with the island nation.

Shahid, on his recent visit to New Delhi, had said that India was the closest and most trusted friend of the Maldives.

“Our message is very clear: India is our closest and most trusted friend and neighbour. We are committed to re-igniting the India-Maldives friendship and relationship, reaching new horizons, exploring new avenues while strengthening existing links,” Shahid had said during his meeting with India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

He had also claimed that the new Maldives government keeps “a strong India-first policy”.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended President Mohamed Solih’s swearing-in ceremony on 17 November 2018 in Male.