Nasheed: Maldives belongs to all its people, not just an administration with popularity rating under 30%

Former President Mohamed Nasheed issued a vehement response on Sunday, after the Foreign Ministry issued a statement in response to comments he made to reporters on the sidelines of his trip to India to attend the 10th edition of the Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD).

Speaking to reporters upon return to Male’ on Saturday, Nasheed said that Mauritius was ready to sit down for talks to restore the ties it severed with the Maldives back in February over its stance on Chagos.

During various media interviews throughout the conference, he also expressed concerns that President Muizzu’s administration was wasting foreign funding.

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement in response on late Saturday, warning that “public commentary, especially by those who have held high public office, on matters relating to foreign policy, regional security, and international partnerships, carries significant implications.”

In a post on X on Sunday, Nasheed responded that reviewing and criticizing the government’s foreign policy and other policies was the biggest responsibility of an opposition party.

“The Maldives belongs to all Maldivian people. It does not belong to Dr. Muizzu’s administration with a popularity rating of less than 30 percent,” he wrote, referring to the results of a recent referendum.

“The government needs to utilize grants and loans provided by bilateral partners responsibly.”

Sarukaaruge khaarijee siyaasathaai adhi ehenves hurihaa siyaasathu thah muthoaliyaa koh, dhenegane, e siyaasathu thakah faadu kiumakee vaadhaveri siyaasee party ehge enme bodu masooliyyath. Dhivehi Raajje akee mulhi Dhivehi rayyithunge Raajje. 30% ah vuren thaaeedhu dhah koh oiy… pic.twitter.com/uPHXlLaoYE

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) May 10, 2026

The Foreign Ministry, though it did not directly name Nasheed, suggested that his remarks were “careless”. The ministry stressed the importance of exercising “utmost care and judgement” when speaking on matters affecting the country’s national interests and external relations.