Since President Mohammed Mijjith’s victory in the Maldives elections last year, the relationship between India and the island nation has deteriorated. Mijjith has issued an ultimatum for the Indian military to leave the Maldives. The Maldives, which has been distancing itself from India, is gradually moving closer to China. Recently, Mijjith’s visit to China, where several agreements, including tourism, were signed, has exacerbated tensions with India.
Amid ongoing tensions with India, the Maldives has made a significant decision. In fact, the Maldives has decided to deport 43 Indian citizens. Behind the action taken against 186 foreigners, including 43 Indians, the Maldives has accused them of visa violations and involvement in drug-related crimes. Now, these individuals are being deported from the Maldives. Concerns are being raised about the worsening relationship between India and the Maldives after the deportation of Indian citizens.
According to a report by Malé’s online news outlet ‘Adhadhu’, information about deporting Indians has been provided. According to the report, the highest number of deported individuals are Bangladeshis. At least 83 Bangladeshis have been deported, followed by 43 Indians, 25 Sri Lankans, and eight Nepalese citizens. Maldives Home Minister Ali Ihusan said at a press conference that the ministry is working with the finance ministry to take action against illegal activities.
He said the home ministry is working on deporting foreigners involved in such activities. Controller General of Immigration Shamam Waheed said that 186 foreigners involved in criminal activities have been deported from the Maldives. He said that under the campaign to identify foreign workers involved in criminal activities, the immigration department has detained some individuals, and among them, those with valid documents and passports have been deported.