MALDIVES

MALDIVES

Regional infrastructure needed to combat terror: Maldives’ Defense Minister


Maldives’ Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has expressed concern on the dangers posed by religious extremists to the south-east Asian region. In an email interview to Indian media 'The Hindu', Minister Mariya noted that there is a greater... More

Labor agreement between Maldives and Bangladesh to be renewed


The Bangladesh government has made the decision to renew the agreement between the Republic of Maldives and the Government of Bangladesh protecting the rights of Bangladeshi laborers after a three year hiatus. Citing government officials, a Bangladesh news... More

India lifts restrictions on exports to Maldives


India has exempted exports of essential commodities to the Maldives from any form of domestic restrictions. “Export of potatoes, onion, rice, wheat flour, sugar, dal and eggs has been permitted to Maldives under bilateral trade agreement between India... More

Maldives ex-president pleads not guilty to money laundering


Maldives’ former president Abdulla Yameen pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges at a pre-trial hearing Thursday, as the prosecution submitted a list of witnesses that include his former right-hand men. The prosecution plans to call jailed former... More

Japanese navy ship ‘JS Samidare’ arrives in Maldives


The Japanese navy ship, 'JS Samidare', arrived in Maldives at 0800 hours on Wednesday. The navy destroyer, currently moored off the coast of capital Male', is stopping by in Maldives to refuel and restock, according to an official... More

India resumes work on Maldives coastal radars


After an initial stumble following political uncertainty in the Maldives, work on setting up a coastal surveillance radar chain in the island nation has resumed full steam, with technical teams from India finishing installation work to get... More

A regime change in the Maldives


11 years after multi-party elections were mandated by the 2008 Constitution, ex-president Mohammed Nasheed was exultant as the results of the parliamentary polls came in. His Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had won a two-third majority. The MDP, led by... More

Maldives parliament repeals foreign land ownership law


Maldives Parliament has passed the bill repealing the amendment brought to the constitution which allows foreigners to own land in the Maldives. The bill presented by Macchanglhi Dhekunu MP Abdulla Rifau was approved with the votes of 64... More

Nasheed speaks on China deals to international media


Maldives’ former president Mohamed Nasheed has reiterated that agreement made between China and Maldives will be closely reviewed. Speaking to Reuters after main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s landslide victory in Saturday's parliamentary election, Nasheed pledged to conduct a... More

Indian warship in Maldives for joint operation


An Indian Navy ship has arrived in Maldives to take part in a joint operation with Maldives National Defense Force. MNDF revealed that a surveillance operation will be conducted together with the Indian navy to monitor the Special... More

Maldives election results empower a critic of China


A political party led by the president of the Maldives appeared to have won decisively in parliamentary elections over the weekend, a result that may help him restore political freedoms in a strategically important country with an... More

Former Maldives president makes comeback with landslide win


Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has vowed sweeping reforms and an end to government corruption after leading his party to a landslide victory just five months since returning from exile. The 51-year-old leader's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) made... More

Maldives president seeks to investigate China deals


The Maldives heads for a parliamentary election on Saturday with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih seeking a majority for his party to investigate debts to China, which it fears could run as high as US$3 billion and risk... More

Maldives gears up for Saturday’s general election


Six months after electing Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as President in a high-stakes election, Maldivians are gearing up for another crucial vote in Saturday’s parliamentary poll, whose outcome will impact the prospects for political stability in the island... More

Maldives’s High Court unfreezes ex-president Yameen’s bank accounts


The Maldives’ High Court overturned Sunday a criminal court order that froze the bank accounts of former president Abdulla Yameen. Yameen appealed after his bank accounts were frozen in December with more than MVR100 million (US$6.5 million) in... More

Majlis 19: Money over integrity - Who will win?


With the Maldives’ parliamentary election looming up ahead, political parties and independent candidates alike are campaigning with great energy and enthusiasm. Bill boards, banners and flags are being hoisted with added zeal, while candidates compete with each... More

Maldives’ High Court orders release of ex-president Yameen


High Court on Tuesday issued a verdict to release and free former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom. The verdict was issued on the appeal case filed by President Yameen over Criminal Court's order to keep him under state... More

OFID approves US$50 million loan to Maldives


OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has approved a US$50 million (approximately MVR 772 million) loan to the Maldives. In a statement released following the 166th Governing Board meeting of OFID in Vienna, Australia, it was stated that... More

India-Maldives agree to strengthen connectivity, regional maritime security


India and the Maldives have agreed on a broad spectrum of issues for further collaboration including strengthening connectivity and coordination to maintain regional maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called... More

Amid anti-India protests, Maldives assures India of sensitive approach to its strategic...


External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj made her maiden visit to Maldives and reiterated India’s position on the island nation, terming ties between the two countries as a highly More

Maldives to install India gifted radar systems this year


Installation of the 10 radar systems gifted by the Indian government to protect the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) will be completed within the end of this year, Maldives military said. In a press conference held at the Coastguard... More

COLUMN

On being a Muslim in Sri Lanka after April 21, 2019

No significant anti-Muslim incidents have taken place since April 21, when two local Islamic State (IS) affiliates, the National Tawheed Jamaath (NRJ) and the Jamaathei Millathu Ibraheemi (JMI), carried out nine suicide attacks killing over 250 people, mostly local Christiansand foreigners. Life has returned to normal in Colombo with Muslim shops doing brisk business. Muslim women go about freely in... More

Need to settle Pakistan’s telecom license issue fast

The license of Telenor Pakistan and Jazz are due to expire on 25 May 2019. Three days ago, they approached the Islamabad High Court asking for “clarity” on the terms of their license renewal. They say that it should be done “in an equitable, fair and transparent way.” By saying this, they mean that in their reading, the license stipulates... More

In Bangladesh, the State has prevailed over Islamist extremism

The Islamist or Jihadist is either romanticized or demonized. Typically, the assessment is based on ideological predilections rather than hard analysis. In many countries, extremism, whether violent and non-violent, is beginning to gain ground or won’t leave the shores. But in Bangladesh there has been only one major episode in recent times. That was on July 1, 2016, when 20... More

China and Myanmar strengthen ties at BRI summit

Myanmar and China have a special relationship that was further strengthened by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s recent trip to Beijing. The frequency of her trips to China, more than to any other country, since she became State Councillor, underlines that relationship. While no major new agreements were signed during the trip, it was a public re-assertion of the... More

Consensus on Afghanistan: More than just a ‘Great Game’

The April 26, 2019 meeting between Special Representatives of the US, China and Russia in Moscow has turned out to be a true watershed event. It is a big leap towards ending the almost 18 year-old US war in Afghanistan. The Big-Power consensus on ending the US-Afghan war is unprecedented, in that, these powers, namely, the US and Russia, and... More

VIDEO-INTERVIEW

video

Exclusive Interview with Bhutan’s Prime Minister


“I will request PM Sheikh Hasina to support us with some (medical) specialists that will be an immediate help for Bhutan” Dr.Lotay Tshering Prime Minister of Bhutan Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Dr. Lotay Tshering, is set to visit Bangladesh on 12th... More

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