India our closest friend; China a key partner

Mohamed Waheed became president of the Maldives in 2012 following Mohamed Nasheed's resignation, after having served as his vice president.

- BY ANIRUDHA KARINDALAM

Before entering politics, Waheed had a long career with the United Nations. In May 2025, Mohamed Muizzu appointed him as his special envoy. Excerpts from an interview:

How do you look at your appointment?

I have always believed that it is the duty of senior statesmen, particularly former heads of state, to assist their successors and to always place the interests of the nation above everything else. Having once held the country’s highest office, the obligation to serve does not end upon leaving it.

I have discreetly and openly supported each of my successors according to their needs. I served as special envoy to my immediate successor and represented him at numerous international forums, including at the United Nations. For another successor—who was also my political opponent—I facilitated high-level meetings and supported his development priorities.

I now extend the same support to Muizzu. Unlike his predecessors, he has initiated the formulation of a 20-year national development plan, giving Maldivians, for the first time, a clear vision of future growth. This will enable a robust political discourse around competing ideas for our nation’s long-term future.

How would you assess the current political situation in the Maldives?

There is a healthy level of political debate, even as preparations begin for the local elections early next year. The current administration enjoys a commanding majority, having secured decisive victories in both the recent presidential and parliamentary elections. With that majority comes heightened expectations.