The Government of Maldives has announced its support for India's bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2028-2029. The decision was made following a visit by India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to the Maldives from 18-19 January 2023.
The Maldives and India have a strong partnership and close bonds of friendship, and the Maldives government believes that India will be a voice for all developing countries on the Security Council and will continue to make meaningful contributions towards global discourse on peace and security in the future.
The Maldives has a heavy debt burden to India, with over MVR 40 billion owed to the country. Despite this, the Maldives government has announced its support for India's bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2028-2029.
This decision raises questions about the level of influence India holds over the Maldives and whether the debt played a role in the Maldives' decision to support India's bid. The Maldives' support for India, despite being heavily in debt, further solidifies the perception of the Maldives as a vassal state of India.