Former Maldives President Refutes Report Linking India To Failed Plot To Oust Muizzu

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed on Tuesday refuted a report that claimed India’s involvement in a failed plot to oust current President Mohamed Muizzu. 

Nasheed said he was “unaware of any serious plot against the President; though some people always live in conspiracy.” 

“India would never back such a move, as they always support Maldives’ democracy. India has never dictated terms to us, either,” Nasheed said in a post on X. 

The former Maldivian President’s remark came in response to a report by the Washington Post claiming that politicians from the opposition  Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) allegedly sought USD 6 million from India in a plot to impeach Muizzu earlier this year. 

The plan, however, did not materialise, the report added. 

The report was based on an internal document titled ‘Democratic Renewal Initiative’ which revealed detailed plans to bribe around 40 Maldivian MPs, including some from Muizzu’s party, to secure votes needed for his impeachment. 

The report went on to state that the document included a plan to pay several senior military and police officials and enlist the assistance of three influential criminal groups in the country to ensure Muizzu’s impeachment. 

“In an internal document titled ‘Democratic Renewal Initiative’ obtained by The Washington Post, Maldivian opposition politicians proposed bribing 40 members of parliament, including those from Muizzu’s own party (People’s National Congress), to vote to impeach him,” the report stated. 

“To pay off the various parties, the conspirators sought 87 million Maldivian rufiyaa, or USD 6 million, and according to two Maldivian officials, it would be sought from India,” it added.

According to the document, individuals linked to the Research and Analysis Wing started discreet discussions with opposition leaders from Maldives in January this year to explore the possibility of removing Muizzu. A plan emerged within weeks but despite months of covert talks, the idea failed to gather enough support from parliamentarians, the report stated. 

The US daily, however, added that it had no clarity on whether the plan was approved by senior government officials in Delhi, and if India was mulling to back the impeachment.