Look East....Maldives foreign policy shift

The president of Maldives today made a statement which will surely rattle heads in Delhi.

Maldives Look East foreign policy shift is a wake up call to Delhi on how NOT to handle a relationship.

President Yameen was very straight forward in explaining why Maldives sought to go the way it has gone. And there are very good reasons for doing so.

Aid which is subject to conditions which are not palatable to a people need not be sought or accepted. Trade also need to be treated much the same way.

China is undeniably the fastest growing and largest economy in the world now.

India, which is the largest democracy is trailing.

China has built the infrastructure to support and enhance its economic and military growth where as India is struggling to build the transportation networks, tariff streamlining and infrastructure that would be required to propel it to the next stage of development.

China seems to have the foresight and patience while it emerges as the strongest economy and is balanced and stable enough in exercising its foreign and military policies which are based on mutual respect and economic ties as the bedrock of the relationship.

President Yameen has been bold enough to execute the shift. Need to see him working through the maze and bring about benefits to the people of this country.

Hajju Corporation and Islamic Minister

The Hajj Corporation must ideally be a vehicle for Maldivians of all walks of life to save up and perform the Hajj. What good is there to lend money to perform a Hajj? 

Cultivate the habit of saving. This will make the Hajj Corporation a sustainable institution where savings can be reinvested to make money and facilitate the Hajj cheaply for Maldivians.

Performing the Hajj is a religious duty and matters related to the Hajj is ideally regulated by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. 

But the Hajj Corporation shall not be an arm of the Islamic Ministry. It must be seen as a corporate entity and treated such. Companies are best run when they are left to professional management. With the Hajj Corporation it looks as if the Minister of Islamic Affairs is the Chairman and CEO/MD.