Defence Minister Mariya Didi has spoken words of apology regarding the comments she had made to Strategic News International’s Amitabh P. Revi during her visit to India. The Maldivian Minister of Defence had said in that interview that that taking over Maldives would not be a difficult feat for India. The Minister also said that the Maldives would be powerless in the face of India’s military might.
On having been summoned for questioning by a Member of Parliament, the Minister stated that if she had said anything “unpleasant”, she apologizes for it. She excused herself by stating that her intention behind the interview was to point out that despite the nuclear power’s military strength, she believed that India respected the Maldives’ sovereignty.
She claimed that the uproar and controversy regarding her comments was the result of her words having been taken out of context. Addressing the Majlis today, she said “If you were displeased or confused by anything I said during that interview, I sincerely apologize”.
Opposition parliamentarians are currently working to pass a motion of no confidence against Minister Mariya.