Maldives slam ‘baseless’ reports of Indian military base

Citing unnamed Indian government sources, the Nikkei Asian Review reported last week that India was considering an offer of US$1 billion worth of low-interest loans in exchange for a permanent military presence.

In a press statement Thursday, the foreign ministry “categorically refuted” and dismissed the claim as “baseless and aimed at discrediting the efforts of the government as it starts to rebuild good relations with its neighbours and the rest of the international community.”

It sought to assure the public that the new administration would “always act in the national interest of the Maldives, and will not undertake any international engagement that will compromise the sovereignty and independence of the country.”