Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concern over President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s silence as Pakistani Prime Minister criticized India while in the country.

The Pakistani Prime Minister is in the country to take part in the nation’s Independence Day celebrations.

In his address, the PM accused India of 'harming' the SAARC, accusing India of 'undermining and violating the spirit of the SAARC charter by casting shadows of bilateral issues, and problems on multilateral forum for regional cooperation'.

He highlighted that this is the fourth occasion in which India has 'caused harm to SAARC by seeking postponement'.

The statement released by MDP said that they were ‘extremely concerned about President Yameen’s refusal to clarify the Maldives’ position on SAARC’ and that President Yameen’s silence only serves to point out that he had ‘effectively sided with the Pakistani version of events’.

MDP had strongly criticized President Yameen’s foreign policy, noting that it had ostracized the nation more than ever before. It added that the nation’s foreign policy was now largely driven by the President’s personal agenda. This, MDP said that, has damaged the country’s long-standing ties with international partners, and led to the Maldives’ isolation in the international community.