The Maldives' envoy in New Delhi, Ibrahim Shaheeb, met Indian Foreign Ministry officials on Monday amid a social media row that saw three Maldivian ministers suspended after remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The meeting followed Mr Modi's recent visit to India’s Lakshadweep islands which led to a row over remarks posted on social media by some ministers of the Maldives.
Relations between New Delhi and Male have been strained in recent months after a new government came to power in the Maldives in November last year, with some experts suggesting the new government leans towards China.
Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 islands, with only 10 inhabited, in the emerald waters of the Arabian Sea. It sits about 400km off the south-western coastal state of Kerala.
The federally ruled islands are known for their white sand beaches. Mr Modi’s government is attempting to encourage tourism to the area due to its similarities to the Maldives, despite it being an ecologically sensitive region.
In posts on social media, Mr Modi snorkelled in the sea and urged “those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them” to add Lakshadweep to their future travel stops.
While his government did not make any reference to the Maldives, many Indian social media users called for travellers to visit domestic islands instead of the Maldives, prompting fierce reactions that have escalated into a diplomatic row.
Three Maldivian ministers including Mariyam Shiuna, the Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, allegedly called the Indian prime minister a “clown” and a “diver in a life jacket” in posts on X, formerly Twitter, that have since been deleted.
Maaiz Mahmood, a politician, also shared a picture, believed to be from Bora Bora islands in French Polynesia, with the caption “Sunset in Maldives. You won’t see this in Lakshadweep.” He also tagged the Indian Prime Minister.
Several Maldivian newspapers carried stories claiming that India had started a campaign against the island nation.
Supporters of Mr Modi have since called for a boycott of the Maldives, which receives more than 200,000 Indian tourists a year, according to the Maldivian government.
Travel website EaseMyTrip announced the suspension of all flight bookings to the Maldives and launched discount offers to Lakshadweep.
The Maldivian Foreign Ministry has since taken action against the ministers suspending three.
“These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives. Moreover, the relevant authorities of the Government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks,” the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said.
The latest row could further strain ties between New Delhi and Male which is believed to be leaning to China, as both the nuclear power nations are vying for influence in the region.
China is the Maldives' largest external creditor, accounting for about 20 per cent of its total public debt. The latest International Monetary Fund data shows the Maldives owes China about $1.3 billion.
While the Maldives has been the biggest beneficiaries of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and received significant public welfare and humanitarian assistance from New Delhi, the newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu is seen as being pro-Beijing.
After taking charge in November last year, he demanded the removal of 77 Indian security personnel and ordered a review of 100 agreements with India.
On Monday, he will take part in an official state visit to China after an invitation by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
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The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
