'Must Have India First Policy': Maldives' Ex-Defence Minister Bats For 'Closest Neighbour' | Exclusive

Last Updated:July 26, 2025, 12:19 IST

Mariya Ahmed Didi, who was the defence minister when India started helping Maldives build its new defence ministry building, said India had always come to the island nation’s aid

(Left) Maldives' ex-defence minister Mariya Ahmed Didi; (Right) The MoD building India helped build. (News18)

“It is very sad that for political reasons alone, such a good relationship between both countries (India and Maldives) was put at risk, but fortunately, everyone in the government here has come to their senses and we are hopefully seeing a new trend to the relationship," Maldives’ former defence minister, Mariya Ahmed Didi, told CNN-News18 in an interview.

Didi was the defence minister when India started helping Maldives build its new defence ministry building, which has been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his current two-day state visit to the island nation. A huge poster of PM Modi adorned the building on Friday. “The MOD building took shape in my tenure. It is a symbol of good defence cooperation in our time," Didi, now in the opposition, said, adding that from time immemorial, India and Maldives had a great relationship.

“But for political reasons, I would say they (Muizzu government) just created a lot of scare-mongering tactics. But I am glad President Muizzu has now realised that national interests need to be prioritised over political rhetoric and has come to his senses. I am glad that on the 60th Independence Day, we are having our closest neighbour and our first responder with us. This is a big signal," Didi told CNN-News18.

“It is up to all of us and Maldivians to make this euphoria last. The government should come out and explain the importance of India to the people. The President himself should come out in the media and make the people on the street understand so that the misguided campaign is put to rest. India has been our development partner. Whenever we needed them, they came to help us," Didi said.

She also described Modi’s trip as a momentous one. “Since the Muizzu government came to power in Maldives, we have not seen much contact between the two neighbours. We always had an ‘India first’ policy. Not only because India is the largest neighbour, but it is for the mutual interest of both our countries to keep the relationship as we have had it historically alive," Didi said.

She said both nations hold dear the ideals of history, geography, culture, cuisine, race, democracy, political ideology, and human rights. “Our strategic vision is peace and stability in the region, and an open and free Indian Ocean. Our security interests and concerns over maritime security and terrorism are also the same," she said.

Didi told CNN-News18 that Maldives must have an ‘India First’ policy as within his ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, PM Modi sees Maldives as a priority.

Aman Sharma

Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office....Read More

Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office....

Read More

Location :

Male, Maldives

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News world 'Must Have India First Policy': Maldives' Ex-Defence Minister Bats For 'Closest Neighbour' | Exclusive