The two main opposition parties in the Maldives have expressed concern that the President Muizzu-led government’s ‘anti-India’ stance could negatively impact the nation’s development.

This comes in the wake of the Maldivian government’s announcement that a Chinese ship will dock at their port.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats, the two main opposition parties, have raised these concerns amidst growing tensions between the Maldives and India, and the island nation’s increasing closeness with China.

Muizzu was elected in 2023 on an anti-India narrative, marking a change from the pro-India stance of his predecessors.

Describing India as Maldives’ “most long-standing ally”, the two opposition parties said that alienating it could be “extremely detrimental” to the country’s long-term development, NDTV reported.

Their assessment on “the direction in foreign policy” stated the Maldivian government must work with all development partners as it has traditionally done.

“Stability and security in the Indian Ocean is vital to the stability and security of the Maldives,” said the two opposition parties, which jointly hold 55 seats in the 87-member house.

The remarks were made at a joint news conference addressed by MDP’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Ahmed Saleem, Democrats chief MP Hassan Latheef and the Parliamentary Group Leader Ali Azim.