India, March 29 -- Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who has made several moves to reduce his country's dependence on India, has alleged that his predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih operated on the orders of a "foreign ambassador" though he stopped short of naming any country.

Muizzu, who is widely perceived in New Delhi as pro-China, made the remarks during an interview with state-run Public Service Media (PSM) on Thursday. His remarks, coming on the back of his demand for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel who operate three aircraft in the Maldives, were perceived as an apparent reference to India.

Solih, who was president during 2018-23, operated on orders from a foreign ambassador and this resulted in "extensive damage", Mu...