Minister of Defense, Mariya Ahmed Didi, has said that India has no plans to take over Maldives. The Minister said this in an interview given to the Associate Editor of India’s Strategic News International, Amitabh P. Revi.

The interview was given to the Indian newspaper by Minister Mariya on her official visit to the country last month. She said in the interview that taking over Maldives will not be a difficult feat for India. She has also said that Maldives will not be able to take action before the extent of India’s military powers. Mariya said however, that India has no such plans to take over Maldives.

Mariya also commented on the Maldivian opposition’s criticisms regarding the installation of India-gifted Coastal Surveillance Radar systems in the interview. She said that it is not India that will necessarily benefit from the radar system and said that it is Maldives that will gain all the benefits of the system.

The Minister also said that the current administration is simply carrying on the work of implementing the project. She also noted that while this is the case, the initial decision for the project was previously taken during the former administration of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Mariya said that the radar system will enable Maldives to maintain the security of the country’s commercial area in the ocean. She said that the expenses of securing the area by the Maldivian government has been greatly reduced due to the radar system.

The Minister also indicated search and rescue missions for fishing vessels in Maldives during the interview. She said that in that regard, the task of zeroing in on the location and sending immediate aid to the vessels will become easier due to the radar system.

While India and China are on opposite ends of of thought concerning this region, Mariya spoke on the relationship of Maldives with both nations. She said that India is the closest country that comes to the greatest aid of Maldives on every occasion. Mariya reiterated that however, China fulfils the role of an economic development partner for Maldives. She also noted that, till date neither country has raised a question regarding the relationship of Maldives with the other.

The Minister spoke on the matter of India-gifted helicopters to Maldives and said that the helicopters are operated with the full control of the Maldivian government. She added that the helicopters will not be operated in Maldives without the approval of the respective authorities of the country’s government.

The Minister of Defense said that India, China and Pakistan wish to ensure the safety and security of this region and that the countries are fully cooperating on the matter.