The new government in the Maldives has rejected suggestions that it was planning to allow the establishment of an Indian military base in the archipelago, in exchange for financial assistance and other material benefits.

Reports in this regard were baseless and aimed at discrediting the efforts of the government which was starting the process of rebuilding good relations with all its neighbours and the rest of the international community, the Maldives Foreign Ministry said.

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There were reports in a section of the media that Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, during his visit to India earlier this week, had agreed to allow the deployment of Indian troops in the island in exchange for $1 billion for stronger security ties between the two nations.

Shahid also took to Twitter to say that his country had no plan to allow an Indian military base in the Maldives. ‘’The government assures the people that it will 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,’’ he said.

The minister said his country would closely work with all of its neighbours and the international community. Shahid said that India was the closest and most trusted friend of the Maldives. He also called China as a friend and one of the largest economies of the world whose assistance had benefited the Maldives.

Meanwhile, two Indian helicopters that were gifted to the Maldives in 2013 are likely to stay back in the country along with the 48-member crew and the support staff. The previous Abdulla Yameen regime had asked India to take back the two choppers, putting New Delhi in an embarrassing situation. The new government says it would keep the helicopters as a ‘precious gift’ from a friendly neighbour.

India’s relations with the Maldives had deteriorated when Yameen was at the helm in Male as he was perceived to be close to China. Some of his pro-China decisions did not go down well with New Delhi.

Maldives new President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is scheduled to visit India on 17 December in keeping with his ‘India-First’ policy and to reset ties with New Delhi.