It is with deep concern that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) takes note of the Maldives Government’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country with which we have enjoyed bilateral relations for over forty years.

The MDP believes that this kind of irrational adventurism in foreign policy decisions by the Maldives Government will have serious negative repercussions on the security of the Maldives. The Maldivian Democratic Party especially questions the adverse impact this drastic step will have on stability of the Indian Ocean region, in the long term.

There has been no indication that this matter was deliberated upon by any state body mandated to deal with foreign policy issues prior to the announcement of this sudden decision. It is also equally disconcerting that the people of Maldives have been completely sidelined in this matter.

“President Yameen is amassing all the world’s contentious issues to the Indian Ocean, with Maldives at the heart of it; clearly disregarding the security and protection of the Maldivian people,” said MDP International Spokesperson Hamid Abdul Ghafoor.