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Professor Hassan Ugail: The numbers don’t back the decision to establish an Indian consulate in Addu city.

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Speaking at a panel discussion held tonight by the “SaveAddu” movement, Mathematician Professor Hassan Ugail has stated that The numbers don’t back the decision to establish an Indian consulate in Addu city.  The panel discussion was held in response to the public concern raised following the Indian government’s unilateral decision to establish a consulate in Addu city, Maldives.

Speaking at the virtual panel discussion, Professor Ugail stated that a consulate is normally established if at least 20,000 to 25,000 people of  country visits the host country in a year. He questioned whether 25,000 Indians visit or live in Addu city and stated that he does not see any signs of such a number of Indians visiting Addu city in the near future even. He also stated that those who speak for the establishment of the consulate argue that it would bring economic development. But he pointed out the logical fallacy behind it  that, the economic activity should be brought first, followed by a consulate to aid the people behind the economic activity and not the other way around.

Professor Ugail also stated that the numbers don’t back the decision to establish an Indian consulate in Addu city.

Professor Ugail also talked on the importance of independence and sovereignty stating that there are some things that should not be done for no matter price offered. He related to a personal experience of his when an American firm offered him $5.5 million in exchange for an algorithm developed by him. Professor Hassan Ugail stated that  refused the offer for the chance of misuse of the algorithm by the firm. He stated that similarly, the people of Maldives and Addu city needs to evaluate the consequences of the decisions that we make today for money, which would affect the future generations.

Veteran diplomat Mohamed Nashid also spoke at the panel discussion. He stated that consulates would be established according to the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, under which the Maldivian consulate in Trivandrum was also established. He pointed out that under this convention, any Consulate that is established in Addu would have full diplomatic immunity including the staff and the building which houses the consulate. He stated that of the 79 Articles in the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, most of the articles would be of benefit to the country which establishes the consulate and not the host country.

Mr. Mohamed Nashid who has 18 years of experience in Maldives Foreign Service, pointed out that the current course of action by the Indian Government was against Article 4 of the convention which stated that “A consular post may only be established in the territory of the receiving State only with that State’s consent”.

Mr. Mohamed Nashid raised concern that Maldivians do not have a say in the establishment of a consulate in Addu as the Government of Maldives remains silent. He also stated that if the consulate were to be stationed within the Addu Police Academy currently being constructed by the Indians, then the whole academy and staff could enjoy diplomatic immunity.

He also pointed out that geopolitically, Addu city is in a historically strategic position and that if a consulate were to be established there, then it could act as a listening post similar to those is Seychelles. Mr. Mohamed Nashid also questioned the motives behind the establishment of a consulate as a consulates main scope of work would be to process visa’s and serve its people. But stated that the idea of an Indian consulate in Addu is perplexing as very few Indians live there.

Mr. Mohamed Nashid also stated that the non-alignment policies practiced by the Maldives should b restored and relations should be kept with all nations. He stated that India will always continue to remain a neighbor and that fact cannot be changed, calling to amend the current policies to make room for a more balanced foreign policy.

Retired MNDF Captain Ali Ihusaan also spoke at the panel discussion. Born to Addu city, Captain Ali Ihusaan (Rtd)  stated that 50% of the global maritime trade passes through the Maldivian seas and that control of this trade has been something that even historically vied by world powers. He also pointed out that in the past South Indian Malabar kings had usurped control of the historically northernmost atoll of Minicoy and the strategic 8 degrees channel between. He stressed that even back then, world powers knew on the importance of those channels.

Captain Ali Ihusaan (Rtd) continued to talk on the geopolitically strategic location of the Maldives. He stated that the western states are using India as their proxy within this region against China. He stated that in order to control of these channels, India is establishing their military presence in the Maldives. Captain Ali Ihusaan (Rtd) stated that it is no coincidence that the Indian helicopter and police academy is kept in Addu and the military aircrafts in Hanimaadhoo and Laamu atoll.

Captain Ali Ihusaan (Rtd) questioned India’s motives on protecting the Maldives. He stated that if India was genuine in their intention to provide security for the Maldives, then they would train and provide the equipment to the Maldivians to defend themselves instead of forcing dependence on them, comparing the situation to Madagascar and Seychelles. He also pointed out that similar consulates have been used as a cover for listening posts which would track and gather intelligence on all land, sea and air traffic and economic activities in the region.

He also talked on how Hawaii became the victim of Japanese attacks during world war 2 after US stationed their military vessels. Comparing the situation he stated that when the Maldives gets in the middle of two super powers, Maldives would be left to face the consequences, stating that an incoming missile can’t distinguish a local from a foreigner.

Former Deputy Mayor of Addu city Hassan Shahid who also spoke on the panel stated that his concerns does not stem from him being with or against any parties involved but due to the motives behind the establishment of a consulate in Addu city. He stated that he was one of the people who made the Presidential manifesto for Addu city for the current administration and that there was no talks of an Indian consulate. He raised question on the benefits of a $200 million loan from India, which would be spent on what India dictates. He questioned the government on why the people of Addu are not being consulted or allowed to participate in the decision making process of the development of Addu city.

He also stated that during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration, over $1 billion worth investments were brought to the Velana International Airport alone and questioned why the current administration is so focused on bringing just a $200 million loan to Addu city.

Social Sector Advocate Mohamed Shihab stated that historically even Addu has been an intellectual hub. He stated that main heritage of the Addu people are their resilience, hard work and their intellect. He raised points on the development of Addu city as an educational hub, questioning the motives behind the decision to establish a consulate in Addu city.

The panel discussion comes following a advocacy by the “SaveAddu” movement which has a strong online presence. The movement voices against the establishment of an Indian consulate at the Indian police academy in Addu city, stating that it would lead to colonization and further Indian military presence in Addu city. The “SaveAddu”movement has been conducting online protests aginst the growing Indian influence in the Maldives under the banner of “Indiaout” and “IndianMilitaryOut”.

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Nasheed to form new party

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The main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader Mohamed Nasheed has decided to form a new political party.

Nasheed initiated a separate political movement within MDP, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’, following his loss in MDP’s presidential primary held back in January. After major conflicts with the government and its policies – all lawmakers from the faction tendered their resignation from MDP on Wednesday.

The move came after Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was expelled from the party on Tuesday and banned from rejoining for at least one year over involvement in opposition political activities surrounding the Chagos archipelago dispute.

The 12 members who resigned from MDP on Wednesday are;

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi)
West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan (Gita)
North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu)
Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
All 12 members are close acquittances of Nasheed. MP Hassan Latheef, during a meeting at Bodufenvalhuge on Wednesday, announced Nasheed’s decision to form a new political party. The meeting was attended by supporters of Nasheed.

Should Nasheed form a new political party, that party would be the largest opposition party in terms of members in the parliament, thereby, the minority party. The minority party at present, opposition PPM-PNC coalition has only eight members in the parliament.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

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MPs loyal to Nasheed leave MDP

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Multiple members of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) loyal to the party’s leader Mohamed Nasheed have left the party.

The members who resigned from MDP include 12 MPs. They include Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, MP Mohamed Waheed, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi), MP Hassan Latheef, MP Ilyas Labeeb, MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, MP Hassan Afeef, MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde), MP Hussain Firushan, MP Hassan Shiyan, MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu), and MP Ahmed Zahir.

They submitted their resignation letters Wednesday.

The move comes after MDP’s parliamentary group had requested action against Inthi, Hassan Latheef, Ilyas, Yasir, and Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim earlier this week, for forming an alliance with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Maldives National Party (MNP), after accusing the government of failure to protect the interests of the Maldivian people in the case lodged with the International Tribunal of the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) over the disputed maritime territory between Maldives and Mauritius.

The party’s disciplinary committee decided to expel Azim from the party on Tuesday.

They are all members of Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction.

However, Nasheed has yet to resign from the party.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

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The Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in the Maldives on an official visit

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The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, arrived Sunday morning on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s first visit to the Maldives.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and accompanying delegation were received at Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid (ODRI). The government will hold a ceremony on Monday to officially welcome the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives.

During the visit, President Solih would meet with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold official talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, followed by the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. President Solih and the Cambodian Prime Minister would also deliver a joint statement on the outcomes of their discussions.

The Maldives and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1995.

Source(s): President Office.

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