Home Minister Sheikh Imran Abdullah has said that the government's peaceful relations with the world is a symbol of Maldives independence, today.

Speaking at the official function held at the Social Center on the occasion of Maldives' 58th Independence Day, Minister Imran said that freedom is often felt when it is lost.

He added that there will never be a greater slavery in human history than one man being enslaved to another.

Every time Maldives lost its independence, it was the people of Maldives who fought for freedom, and the heroes should always be remembered, Imran said. He said freedom is not linked to population and land mass.

"If independence was linked to the size of the territory and the size of the population, China would not have been under colonialism from 1937 to 1945. And from 1858 to 1947, India would not have succumbed to colonialism," he said.

Minister Imran said that it is the responsibility of the leaders of the country to ensure that everyone feels free and cited the example of how the President is carrying out that responsibility.

"In today's world, independence is lost due to relations with countries and the dangerous way of doing things. Peaceful noble relations with all countries are the symbol of Maldives independence, today," Imran said

He added that while the people are moving forward with freedom, they should be careful of things that can lead to the loss of freedom. He said it is essential to avoid ideas that create divisions among the people of Maldives.