Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef has stated that the Maldives should move beyond viewing international relations solely as a means of obtaining foreign aid, stressing the importance of building broader strategic partnerships with different countries.

Speaking on MMTV’s Bodu Khabaru programme regarding President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s recent State Visit to Sri Lanka, the spokesperson said the Maldives must adopt a wider perspective when engaging with bilateral relations and international institutions. He noted that remaining dependent on grants alone would not allow the country to continue progressing economically and socially.

The spokesperson stated that the Maldives had advanced significantly over the past decades, moving from one of the least developed countries to an upper middle-income nation through the efforts of its people. He added that the Government is also working to demonstrate internationally that the Maldives possesses many characteristics associated with developed nations.

According to the spokesperson, it is no longer realistic to expect the same level of foreign grants previously received decades ago, noting that countries classified as more developed are expected to pursue partnerships beyond financial assistance alone. He further stated that if people still believe the Government’s main foreign policy objective should be securing aid, they remain focused on outdated thinking from many years ago.

The spokesperson said different countries contribute to the Maldives’ development in different ways and highlighted President Dr Muizzu’s foreign policy approach of engaging with any country willing to support the Maldives positively. He noted that nations such as China, India and the United Arab Emirates may provide financial and economic opportunities, while neighbouring Sri Lanka continues to offer affordable opportunities in areas such as education, healthcare and internships.

He further stressed that neighbouring countries and long-standing regional partners should continue to be viewed as strategically important to the Maldives, particularly in areas related to economic cooperation and maritime security.