Minister: Foreign relations play a key role in protecting independence

Foreign relations have always played a key role in protecting Maldives’ independence, says Adam Naseer Ibrahim, the country’s minister for Dhivehi language, culture and heritage.

Addressing the official function on Sunday morning to mark Maldives’ 60th Independence Day, Adam Naseer described the state of Maldives as an ancient state that has always fought to defend its independence.

He highlighted on instances where dark “shadows” fell on Maldives’ independence, including the time the country spent as a protectorate of the British empire from 1887 to 1965. He said that Independence Day pays tribute to the truth of how Maldives freed itself from the oppressive “protection” of the British.

He said that while independence is something that the people of a country achieve through their blood and sweat, it is also true that foreign relations have always played a key role in helping a country defend their freedom.

“Foreign relations have always been a key factor. The friendship with other countries, the communications with other countries, the robust policy adopted in such dealings… this all plays a key role in this,” he said.

Adam Naseer said that this is evident from Maldives’ efforts to free itself from the British; from the various incidents that took place during the negotiations, the negotiations itself, and the steps the country took after it regained its independence.

He also stressed the need for unity among the Maldivian people in order to weather all threats and protect freedom.

Maintaining unity is the only path to safety, he said.