In a break with convention, instead of first visiting neighbouring India, the new President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, has left for Turkey on his first official visit.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Muizzu has been travelling even before he was sworn in as President with the primary aim being to explore alternative sources of funding to reduce dependence on India.
Earlier this month, he visited the UAE and came away with an assurance of $80 million from the Abu Dhabi Fund for the Male airport project.
India had extended a $136.6 million line of credit for its expansion and the assurance from the UAE on top up funding means that Male needs not to engage New Delhi for another round of credit.
After his visit to Turkey, Muizzu will leave for the UAE to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) on November 30.
Mohamed Muizzu came to power after the defeat of the pro-India candidate in the Maldives presidential elections.
Nepal PM Prachanda, when took over as premier for the first time, had also skipped India and instead made China his first port of call.—KMS
