Gasuim Ibrahim, chief of the Jumhoori Party, has urged Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu to formally apologise to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and search “diplomatic reconciliation” to mend bilateral relations.

Gasuim’s demand referred to remarks by Muizzu – considered pro-China – earlier within the month referring to India as a bully with out naming the nation.

Amid a diplomatic row with India that erupted after derogatory social media posts by three of his ministers in opposition to Prime Minister Modi, President Muizzu on his return dwelling after a five-day high-profile state go to to China on January 13 stated, “We may be small but this doesn’t give them the license to bully us.”

Incidentally, the demand comes a day after the primary opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds a majority within the Maldivian Parliament, on Monday stated it plans to submit a movement to impeach Muizzu.

Muizzu, 45, defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih within the presidential runoff held in September final yr.

Gasuim, whereas talking with media after a gathering of the Jumhoori Party (JP), known as on President Muizzu to formally apologise to India and Prime Minister Modi for the recent controversial remarks made throughout an interview, the Voice Of Maldives portal stated.

Expressing concern over the feedback, Gasuim urged President Muizzu to search forgiveness from India for the oblique assaults made within the interview, the digital platform stated.

Gasuim attributed these unwarranted remarks to former President Abdulla Yameen, who initiated the “India Out” marketing campaign main to tensions between Maldives and India, and identified that former President Ibrahim Solih, who was the president at the moment, “delayed in opposing the campaign.”

After his return from China, Muizzu additionally prompt lowering dependence on India in varied areas, together with medical companies and medicines. Gasuim stated Muizzu proposed ending the import of basic medicines from India and exploring options from Europe, America, or nations of origin for the medication.

Then, highlighting India’s important position and experience in these fields, Gasuim stated such a transfer may not be sensible. “India is at a higher level in those fields, and they even export medicine to Europe, so we can’t do that.”

Muizzu’s recent feedback additional complicate the connection between Maldives and India and Gasuim Ibrahim urged “diplomatic reconciliation through a formal apology to mend bilateral relations,” the portal said.

This is not the first time that Muizzu has been asked to mend ways with India. On January 24, calling India the “most long-standing ally,” the MDP and the Democrats expressed concern about the Muizzu government’s “anti-India stance.”

The open support (for India) by the two parties had come a day after the Maldives government said a Chinese ship, equipped to carry research and surveys, would be docking at a Maldivian port after being permitted to make a port call for replenishment.

The permission to allow the Chinese ship had come amid strained ties between India and Maldives after President Muizzu made Beijing his first port of call early this month soon after assuming office. Traditionally, New Delhi has been the first port of call for a new Maldivian President.

Soon after taking oath as the President of Maldives on November 17, Muizzu formally requested India to withdraw 88 military personnel from his country by March 15, saying the Maldivian people have given him a “robust mandate” to make this request to New Delhi.