President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to ensure that Maldives remains free of any foreign military presence.

The newly inaugurated president made this affirmation during his swearing-in ceremony that took place at the Republic Square on Friday evening.

Following his inauguration as the eighth president of the country, the new president delivered his inaugural address, during which he ensured his commitment to make sure the Maldives remains free from foreign military presence and the independence and sovereignty of the island nation is upheld.

Expressing commitment to prioritize the interests of the citizens, Dr. Muizzu assured the people that the interests of external nations would not take over those of the Maldivian people.

Shedding light on his vision for the country’s foreign policy, the Maldivian leader stressed that the cordial relations Maldives enjoys with neighboring and distant countries alike, must be preserved.

Highlighting that the Maldives will continue to mirror the respect for independence and sovereignty that it expects from other nations, President Muizzu noted that the foundation of a free society or nation is built upon the principles and norms that the nation upholds and its citizens believe in.

As such, he stressed the significant role society plays in developing goodness and correcting wrongs and in so doing mirroring the collective responsibility of the community.

During his inaugural speech, the president also shed light on the crucial role of education in society and reaffirmed that his administration would remain committed to utilize the expertise of educated individuals across all fields in implementing policies.

President Muizzu also stated that scholarly research would become the foundation for framing national development policies and expressed his commitment to nurture a sense of religious devotion within people, especially youth.

Describing women as the nation's driving force and the foundation of the country’s resilience, the president affirmed commitment to safeguard the rights of women and to foster empowerment among women and youth.

Further, he went on to shed light on the significance of political empowerment and modern technology to foster connections with the global community, adding his belief that it will enable them to conduct business and bring their innovative ideas and products to the forefront.

The Maldivian leader went on to touch upon the essential role of workers in nation-building and asserted that his administration would accord the highest priority to various forms of labor, encompassing sectors such as fishing, farming, construction, and carpentry.

As such, he stated that his administration would make modern knowledge and technology accessible and beneficial to the Maldives.

Expressing confidence that the island nation will adopt the latest technological tools from around the globe and consecutively enhance income levels and skill sets, President Muizzu noted that society will continue to respect the faithful and dedicated leaders who have contributed significantly to the nation’s progress under his leadership.

In addition to this, he announced the decision to initiate a national project to restore patriotism to preserve and pass on the national identity of citizens to future generations and stated that this endeavor to rejuvenate a sense of nationhood is expected to encourage and nourish the emotional, spiritual, and meaningful connections that bind the people of the Maldives, together.