Home Minister Azleen Ahmed has said local councils conveying specific policy to foreign organizations will negatively impact Maldives independence.

Speaking on State TV PSM’s “Raajje Miadhu” programme, Minister Azleen said Local Government Authority (LGA)’s recent order for local councils to seek permission prior to meeting members and diplomats of foreign nations and organizations was to prevent outside forces from influencing civil matters.

Azleen, who is also the president of LGA, said only the government can make official statements on the nation’s policy and opinions on matters, and that councils could harm Maldives’ ties with other countries by talking to them independently.

He assured that LGA’s decision was not aimed at diplomats from a particular nation.

After LGA’s order on Wednesday, all GA Atoll council members were suspended for meeting Indian Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra.